Full Breakdown
Missing Family Plane Over Andros Island Triggers Multi-Agency Search
9/8/2026, 10:23:09 PM
Background & Context
A South Florida family was returning from a Labor Day weekend at Great Harbour Cay, Bahamas. The party included 80-year-old pilot Mario Lamar, his 79-year-old wife Lili Lamar, and their grandchildren Sofia and Christian Sosa.
Core Event: Flight and Loss of Contact
On September 7, 2026, the Piper PA-34 twin-engine aircraft (tail N212ML) left Great Harbour Cay for Miami-Executive Airport. Reports differ on the take-off time—some cite 10:12 a.m., others 11:12 a.m. The plane’s last known contact was near the western side of Andros Island, about 13 miles (?21 km) west of the coast, after which it vanished from radar. Thunderstorms were present, though no weather cause has been confirmed.
Data & Statistics
- Aircraft: Piper PA-34 (five-seat) – tail N212ML
- Occupants: 4 (Mario Lamar, Lili Lamar, Sofia Sosa, Christian Sosa)
- Reported distance from Andros Island at loss of contact: 13 miles west (?21 km)
- Search assets: U.S. Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry, Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessels, Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association teams
Official Statements & Responses
- The Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed the departure and loss of contact.
- The Royal Bahamas Defence Force requested U.S. Coast Guard assistance around 2 p.m. the same day.
- A U.S. Coast Guard Southeast spokesperson said the district’s command center coordinated the HC-144 launch.
- Lt. Darius Adams, RBDF public-relations officer, told CNN divers would continue to canvass the area.
- The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Search Alert Notice (ALNOT), prompting a coordinated search by public-safety agencies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Bodies recovered: CBS News and ABC-17 later reported four bodies identified as the Lamar-Sosa family. Earlier CNN, ABC News, and NBC Miami reports listed the occupants as missing.
- Departure time: CNN and NBC Miami cited “shortly after 10 a.m.”; ABC News and Fox News noted “approximately 11:12 a.m.”
- Last-known contact: Some sources gave 11:04 a.m.; the FAA’s ALNOT mentioned loss of communication around 10:50 a.m.
These discrepancies reflect the evolving nature of the investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On the flight this morning was my uncle Mario Lamar, his wife Lili Lamar and two of his grandchildren, Christian Sosa and Sofi Sosa,” — Silvi Larrieu
- “We are now in communication and working with the U.S. Coast Guard to bring our loved ones home safely and with dignity.” — Lt. Darius Adams
