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Search For Port Richey Pilot Suspended

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2007

MIAMI - The Coast Guard has suspended its search for Port Richey pilot Harris M. Sullivan, whose aircraft went missing Saturday after taking off from Nassau International Airport, Petty Officer Barry Bena said this morning.

It wasn't immediately clear why the search was called off.

Harris' Lancair was reported missing about 11 a.m. Saturday after the Federal Aviation Administration lost radar and radio contact with the four-person aircraft, which was en route to Palm Beach International Airport from the Bahamas. He was the sole passenger of the aircraft, which last was seen about 50 miles northwest of Nassau, according to the Coast Guard.

A search was launched first with an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a C-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Clearwater. Also part of that search was a HU-25 Falcon jet from Air Station Miami. The Cutter Forward crew based in Portsmouth, Va., also searched.

On Saturday night the Hercules crew spotted an orange life raft about 15 miles southwest of Harris' last known location, which officers later determined to be from the 68-year-old's plane.

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