American family of four missing after small plane reportedly crashes off Bahamas coast
NORTH ANDROS, BAHAMAS: An American family of four is missing after their small plane apparently crashed off the Bahamas coast on Monday, September 7. The US Coast Guard and Bahamian authorities are assisting with the search after air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft near Andros Island.
Poor weather has delayed the search, according to Bahamian officials.
The @USCG is assisting the @TheRBDF following a report of a downed aircraft with four souls onboard approx 15 mi off Andros Island, Bahamas.
— U.S. Coast Guard Southeast (@USCGSoutheast) September 7, 2026
A @USCG HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane is supporting the search. The case is ongoing.
For more information, contact Bahamian authorities.
Mario Lamar Sr and family missing after plane loses contact
The Bahamas Police said the aircraft, a PA-34 Piper five-seater aircraft bearing tail number N212ML, departed Great Harbour Cay at approximately 11.12 am with four people aboard.
Air traffic control later lost contact with the plane about 13 miles west of Andros Island. Police said the aircraft was believed to have crash-landed off the coast of Red Bays, North Andros.
A family of 4 is missing after their plane (PA-34 Piper tail N212ML) crashed ~15 miles west of Andros Island, Bahamas. Pilot Mario Lamar (80), his wife, and 2 grandchildren were headed to Miami. #Bahamas #Miami pic.twitter.com/2NjPDTmCZP
— NewsFromSea (@riskiomap) September 8, 2026
The US Coast Guard said the Royal Bahamian Defense Force requested assistance at approximately 2 pm after receiving a report of a downed airplane with four people aboard about 15 miles off Andros Island.
The passengers were identified by their family as Mario Lamar Sr, 80, and Lili Lamar, 79, and their grandchildren Sofi Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22.
According to the family, Mario is an experienced pilot with more than 40 years of flying experience.
Mario Lamar Sr was flying the family toward Miami
The aircraft was bound for Miami Executive Airport, formerly known as Tamiami Airport, according to the family statement provided to ABC News.
The family said the plane's last known contact was at approximately 11.04 am near the western side of Andros Island.
The circumstances surrounding the apparent crash remain unclear, while authorities continue efforts to locate the aircraft and the four people aboard.
The Bahamas Police said poor weather had postponed the search for an unspecified period, adding another challenge for crews trying to locate the missing family.
US Coast Guard and Bahamas authorities search for family
The US Coast Guard said it was assisting Bahamian authorities with the search after receiving the request for help.
The family has urged Bahamian officials, the US Coast Guard and “all appropriate local authorities” to work together and “deploy every available resource” to find the aircraft and its four occupants as quickly as possible.
The family's statement also expressed gratitude to those involved in the search.
“The Lamar and Sosa families are deeply grateful to everyone participating in the search and to those who have reached out with support,” the statement said.
