CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard is responding to a downed aircraft Thursday approximately 110 miles east of Charleston.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center notified Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders of a civilian aircraft emergency at 11:33 a.m., according to the news release. 

The Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center received a report from the aircraft of an in-flight emergency, lost contact on radar and notified the AFRCC.

The aircraft, a Piper PA-31, was leaving from South Carolina to the Bahamas. 

Assisting in the response are:

  •  Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 Hercules aircraft
  •  Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
  •  Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton
  •  Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal
  •  Commercial vessel Seabulk Challenge
  •  Navy P-3 Orion