Incident Overview
An aircraft departed from Long Island on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan destined for Block Island. Upon arrival at Block Island, the pilot did not close the flight plan. Subsequently, the pilot departed Block Island without refiling a flight plan. The flight left Block Island at night, heading east over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft and its occupants have not been located.
Eyewitness Account
A witness on Block Island reported seeing what was believed to be aircraft lights descending into the ocean on the same evening the aircraft departed.
Discovery of Debris
The following afternoon, a fishing vessel recovered a wheel assembly that had broken off the aircraft. No other debris or wreckage has been reported.
Current Status
Both the aircraft and its occupants remain missing. Search and rescue efforts have been conducted, but no further information has been released.