MIAMI — Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders suspended the search for 87-year-old Brenden Spratt, Monday at 8:30 p.m., after exhausting all leads for the search.
Air Force Rescue Coordination Center personnel alerted District Seven watchstanders Friday at approximately 11:30 a.m., regarding a downed aircraft, described as a Lancair 320, with at least one person aboard approximately 15 miles southeast of Boca Raton.
Spratt’s son reported to watchstanders that his father last checked in on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. He was reportedly flying from Spruce Creek to Boca Raton and was scheduled to land the same day in a private community that had its own airstrip.
“The decision to suspend a case is never an easy one,” said Lt. Shawn Antonelli, a command duty officer for District Seven. “Our greatest sympathies go out to the Spratt family during this time.”
![pilot 4](https://boatwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pilot-4-e1614714862315.jpg)
![pilot USCG Cutter Joseph Tezanos](https://boatwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pilot-e1614714916930.jpg)
Crews searched about 15,955 square miles, approximately double the area of New Jersey, and came from:
- Air Station Miami
- Air Station Clearwater
- Station Fort Lauderdale
- Station Fort Pierce
- Cutter Cochito
- Cutter Heron
- Coast Guard Air Auxiliary
- Air Force