Family of Louisville pilot missing near Bahamas asking for increased search effort

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A family and friends of a Louisville pilot are searching after his plane went missing near the Bahamas.

Christopher Moore, 59, went missing while approaching Marsh Harbor on Sunday. He flew out of Sebastian, Fla. in a single-engine Bristell plane. He was scheduled to land at Marsh Harbour Airport, but his plane disappeared on the approach. It's a flight he's made many times.

His wife, Stacye Love said for some reason, his signal failed and wasn't reading on the radar.

"The data wasn't reading for some reason, and that's what has been frustrating," Love said. "The technology that would lead us to where he is failed him."

Love said the U.S. Coast Guard and Bahamas forces searched an area near Grand Bahama on Sunday and Monday, but haven't found any signs of the plane or Moore. U.S. and Bahamian officials searched nearly 1,800 square miles for Moore, but couldn't find him.

Bristell single-engine plane Christopher Moore was flying.

Love believes the crews searched the wrong area.

According to Love, Moore was heard on the radio about five miles out of Marsh Harbour Airport by three other pilots. Love has asked for additional help from U.S. officials.

"I wish we would get more resources and help," Love said. "There is no sign of that plane and it's very shallow waters, it tells me that we are missing something because we should be able to find him."

Sen. Mitch McConnell office has been in contact with the family. McConnell's office has contacted the State Department on the family's behalf, and U.S. Embassy officials in Nassau.

Moore had flown for the past nine years. He bought four planes. Cam Hitchcock, a friend of Moore, said he was into flying.

"His dad was a pilot for TWA," Hitchcock said. "It was more than a hobby. It was a passion. He's actually building or redoing an entire plane in his house in Kentucky as well."

To avoid tropical storm Debby, Moore stopped in Sebastian, and then planned to fly to the Bahamas. Hitchcock tracked his friend from afar.

Once Hitchcock heard Love hadn't heard from her husband, he went to the Bahamas to start searching.

"Time starts ticking by," Hitchcock said. "We're still hopeful he's alive."

Hitchcock is trying to organize new search efforts from his home.

"We were best buddies and I'm really hopeful to fly with him again," Hitchcock said. "We're just doing everything we can were grabbing ever string we can and doing everything to find him."

Love hopes pilots flying around the area are on the look out for a maroon and whit plane.

"We're asking pilots that come and go from Marsh Harbor and Treasure Key, both airports to keep their eyes open," Love said. "I never would discount prayer."

A GoFundMe has been established to raise funds for fuel and search missions. To donate, click here.

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