The mystery of a corporate private jet that disappeared over 50 years ago has finally been solved, as experts believe they have found the wreckage 200 feet below the surface of Lake Champlain in Vermont. The jet, with the registration N400CP, went missing in January 1971 shortly after taking off from Burlington en route to Providence, Rhode Island.
Pilots Donald Myers and George Nikita, along with passengers Richard Windsor, Robert Williams, and Frank Wilder, were on board the ill-fated flight. Despite numerous attempts over the years, the wreck was never located until last month when underwater searcher Garry Kozak and his team made the historic discovery using sonar imaging.
Family members of the victims expressed mixed emotions upon learning of the find. Barbara Nikitas, niece of pilot George Nikita, described it as a “peaceful feeling” but also a “very sad feeling.” Frank Wilder, whose father was a passenger on the plane, expressed relief at finally knowing the whereabouts of the aircraft but acknowledged that it has raised new questions that need to be addressed.
Debris from the plane was initially found in 1971 at Shelburne Point, Vermont, after the ice melted from the lake. Kozak and his team are the first to make significant progress in the investigation into the missing plane from 1971. The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the information they received, and Fox News Digital has reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration for comment.
The discovery of the wreckage has brought closure to the families of the victims after more than five decades of uncertainty. The story of the long-lost private jet and its tragic end has finally come to light, thanks to the dedication and perseverance of the search team led by Garry Kozak.
