By: Staff Writer
September 11, 2026
A plane crashed carrying four Americans on board a PA-34 Piper five-seater that departed Great Harbour Cay, Bahamas on September 7 and lost contact off of the coast of Andros island.
The four Americans are Mario Lamar Sr., 80, and Lili Lamar, 79, and their grandchildren Sofi Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22. Lamar was “an experienced pilot with more than 40 years of flying experience,” according to the family.
The Bahamas Police Department identified the plane as a PA-34 Piper five-seater. It took off from Great Harbour Cay around 11:12 a.m. Monday and was bound for Miami Executive Airport, officials said.
“Air Traffic Control subsequently lost contact with the aircraft approximately 13 miles west of Andros Island,” Bahamas Police said, adding that poor weather had postponed the search.
Flight data shows the aircraft circling near Red Bays, North Andros, before losing altitude.
Relatives found one of the passengers yesterday morning after mobilising their own search teams and appealing for the public’s help amid apparent frustration with the official response to the missing aircraft.
“A civilian — one of our own family members — was the person who located our loved one and had to bring their deceased relative onto their own boat,” the family said in a statement. “At this time, neither Bahamian authorities nor the US Coast Guard are out there searching the waters.”
An hour later, the family confirmed the remaining passengers had also been found dead.
They credited relatives and locals for assisting with the search, but said it was family members who ultimately located their loved ones and brought them aboard their own vessels.
Royal Bahamas Defence Force officials appeared to respond to the family’s criticism yesterday, saying an aerial search had been conducted for “a few” hours before being supported by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The U.S. Coast Guard began search efforts in coordination with Bahamian forces but had to suspend them because of weather conditions, prompting relatives and civilians to assist in the search.
The family expressed gratitude to those who supported and searched alongside them and requested privacy as they mourn.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported us, searched alongside us, and kept our family in their prayers,” the family also said.