NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The U.S. Coast Guard said it is searching Lake Pontchartrain for a small plane that lost radio contact Monday night (Nov. 24) about four miles offshore.

The search area for the missing Cessna was about four miles north of New Orleans Lakefront Airport, officials said.

Bruce Martin, director of aviation for Lakefront Airport, said the airport had been in contact with a small plane until losing radio contact.

Martin said the Coast Guard soon initiated the offshore search operation.

A Coast Guard officer confirmed the search was launched around 6:36 p.m., but provided few details.

The USCG spokesperson said its search team involved a MH-60 helicopter and 29-foot boat deployed from its Coast Guard New Orleans station.

This developing story will be updated.

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