Search continues off Newfoundland for pilot of small aircraft that crashed in ocean

A Newfoundland flag flies in the wind in Rocky Harbour, Nfld., on Sept. 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

ST. JOHN’S — The search continues today for a pilot whose small aircraft crashed in the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday morning, about 225 kilometres off the east coast of Newfoundland.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the single-seat Air Tractor AT-802 took off from the St. John’s International Airport and was being flown to an unspecified destination in Portugal.

A spokesman for the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax says a Canadian Coast Guard ship and two fishing boats are taking part in the search, as are a military Hercules fixed-wing aircraft and a Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopter.

The spokesman confirmed that searchers had found an empty life-raft, an oil slick and other debris near the plane’s last known position.

It remains unclear why the single-engine turboprop was being flown overseas, but transatlantic flights are possible for smaller aircraft specially fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks.

Officials say the search will continue until this afternoon when a reassessment will be made.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025.