1971 Lost Jet Finally Found Submerged in Vermont's Lake Champlain

Fifty-three years after a mysterious aviation incident left families in limbo, a significant breakthrough has been made in the case of a private jet that vanished over Vermont. On a snowy evening in January 1971, a corporate jet with five men onboard disappeared shortly after taking off from Burlington airport, headed for Providence, Rhode Island. The passengers included two crew members and three employees from Cousins Properties, a Georgia development company, who were in Burlington for a project.

Despite extensive searches immediately following the disappearance and over the ensuing decades, no trace of the 10-seat Jet Commander was found until recently. Underwater searcher Garry Kozak and his team, utilizing a remotely operated vehicle last month, discovered wreckage in Lake Champlain. The jet matched the custom paint scheme of the missing aircraft and was located near Juniper Island, close to the last known position reported by the radio control tower.

"With all those pieces of evidence, we're 99% absolutely sure," Kozak stated, expressing confidence in the identification of the wreckage found at a depth of 200 feet (60 meters). This discovery provides much-needed closure to the families of the victims, answering longstanding questions about the fate of their loved ones.

Barbara Nikitas, niece of pilot George Nikita, shared her mixed emotions with The Associated Press. "To have this found now... it's a peaceful feeling, at the same time it's a very sad feeling," she said. Frank Wilder, son of passenger Frank Wilder Sr., echoed these sentiments, highlighting the distress of not knowing the plane's location for over five decades.

The initial search efforts in 1971 yielded some debris when ice melted in spring, but an underwater search failed to locate the wreckage. Subsequent searches, including one in 2014 inspired by new technology and curiosity following the Malaysia Airlines disappearance, were unsuccessful until now.

Recent efforts were spearheaded by Barbara Nikitas and her cousin Kristina Nikita Coffey, who reached out to other victims' relatives. Charles Williams, whose father Robert Ransom Williams III was also on the plane, praised Kozak as a hero for his dedication to finding the wreckage. Kozak's discovery came after revisiting a sonar survey conducted by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Middlebury College.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating to verify if the wreckage is indeed that of the missing plane. The NTSB does not conduct salvage operations due to the high costs involved. The decision on whether to disturb the site will be considered later as families and investigators work through what has been uncovered.

Relatives of the victims are planning to hold a memorial now that they have confirmation of the plane's location. This discovery not only brings closure but also opens up new avenues for understanding and commemorating the lives lost in this tragic incident.