NASSAU, Bahamas — Four people have been found dead after a Piper PA-34 aircraft lost radar contact with Miami Center air traffic control while travelling from the Bahamas to Florida.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) of The Bahamas said the aircraft, bearing United States registration N212ML, was en route from Great Harbour Cay Airport in the Berry Islands to Miami Executive Airport in Miami, Florida, when it lost radar contact shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday, September 7.

The four people on board were identified as Mario and Lily Lamar and their two grandchildren, Christian Sosa and Sophie Sosa.

Search and rescue operations were subsequently launched by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the United States Coast Guard.

Initial search efforts on Monday in a general area west of the northern coast of Andros yielded no sightings of the aircraft or its occupants.

Search efforts continued on Tuesday, September 8, when all four occupants were found deceased.

The AAIA said that, as of the issuance of its statement, neither the aircraft nor any associated wreckage or debris had been located.

The authority opened a safety investigation after receiving notification on September 7 that the aircraft was overdue and presumed missing.

The investigation is being conducted in accordance with the standards and recommended practices contained in ICAO Annex 13 on aircraft accident and incident investigation.

The AAIA is coordinating with the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other appropriate national and international agencies.

The NTSB, representing the state of registry, has appointed an accredited representative to participate in the investigation, supported by technical advisers as appropriate.

The AAIA said no determination has been made at this early stage regarding the cause or contributing factors.

It stressed that all information contained in its release is preliminary and subject to change as additional evidence is obtained, verified and analysed.

The authority extended its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by the tragedy.