On September 5, 2014, a private aircraft with two persons on board, USA citizens, Larry and Jane Glazer, was reported to be unresponsive to air traffic control directions, while in flight from Rochester, New York, to Naples, Florida, USA. The aircraft was deemed to be proceeding without pilot control, when it disappeared into the sea approximately 19 miles north of Port Antonio, Jamaica, in about 3,000 metres of water, in the early afternoon.  A search of the area was immediately conducted by the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, JDF Air Wing and US Coast Guard. However, after two days, the search was discontinued, based on the assessment that there was a minimal probability for a successful rescue and/or recovery operation, under the existing conditions.   

The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) has responsibility for the flight control region over which the aircraft was lost. The Authority collaborated with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the aftermath of the occurrence, and lead agency investigative responsibility was designated to the US NTSB. This arrangement is consistent with international practice, where the State of the occurrence can delegate investigative responsibility to another (involved) State.

The family of the Glazers retained the services of the ECLIPSE Group, an experienced recovery organisation, to undertake the salvage of the aircraft and to search for the remains of their loved ones. With the cooperation and collaboration of the Government of Jamaica, through the services of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, the Managing Director of the ECLIPSE Group mobilized a highly specialized, technical and sophisticated team, utilising the platform of the specially adapted ship, the MV OCEAN PIONEER. The salvage operation was conducted to identify and recover the remains and aircraft wreckage from the seabed, at a position 19 miles (nautical) north of Port Antonio, Jamaica.

The operation commenced on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 with technologically-advanced, underwater detection and recovery equipment from the vessel MV OCEAN PIONEER.  The debris from the aircraft along with human remains was recovered unto the OCEAN PIONEER, where the ECLIPSE Group team carried out post-recovery and preservation arrangements.

On Monday, January 19, 2015, the operation was terminated and the MV OCEAN POWER is now on passage to the USA, where the various authorities will observe the necessary post-incident protocols consistent with the national requirements of the USA.
The detailed accident investigations will follow.

Joint Press Release by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), January 20, 2015.