Wreckage of small plane found near Bahamas, 2 on board presumed dead

Search crews found the wreckage of a small plane Tuesday night near the Bahamas and presume the two people on board died in the crash, authorities said.

A single-engine Piper Malibu registered to Happy Skies Inc. out of Bonita Springs lost radio contact about 5:15 p.m. after it left Nassau, Bahamas, according to federal authorities. The U.S. Coast Guard searched for three hours until they found the wreckage about 20 miles north of New Providence, Bahamas, said Petty Officer First Class Jennifer Johnson. "There does not appear to be survivors," she said.

The Coast Guard did not release the identities of the two people on board Tuesday night, saying relatives had not been notified. A person who answered the phone at Happy Skies Inc. declined to comment.

Kathleen Bergman, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration, confirmed the plane's tail number and registration. She said the flight originated in Nassau and was bound for Fort Lauderdale. Bergman said Bahamian officials will likely perform the crash investigation.

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Condolences to family and friends.