NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard has suspended its search for two young pilots who are presumed dead after their plane crashed into Lake Pontchartrain on Monday evening.

Crews spent nearly two days searching by air and water for the missing Cessna Skyhawk, which vanished over the lake, about four miles north of New Orleans Lakefront Airport. The aircraft had taken off from Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport and disappeared from radar around 6:30 p.m.

About an hour later, search teams spotted discoloration in the water, and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries personnel recovered a seat cushion and other debris believed to be from the aircraft.

Michael Carastro, owner of the flight school Apollo Aviation, said the parts were “pretty much unique to our particular plane.” He confirmed the mis

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