The US Coast Guard on Friday continued their search for a shot down civilian plane that had left South Carolina Thursday for the Bahamas.

The search was in progress from 17:30. Friday, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Dickinson told USA TODAY. The Coast Guard estimates that five people were on board the aircraft, according to information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The search is centered 110 miles east of Charleston and at least 2,600 square miles have already been searched, according to a statement released Friday afternoon. The missing plane is a Piper PA-31, according to officials.

Air traffic control was informed by the plane of an emergency flight Thursday morning, Coast Guard said. The Jacksonville Air Route traffic control center then lost radar contact with the aircraft.

The twin-engine aircraft can accommodate from five to seven passengers, pilot and co-pilot not included.

The US Coast Guard is participating in the search and will alert the FAA once the aircraft is located. The FAA told the media that the registration of the aircraft or the owners of the aircraft can not be confirmed until it is found.

Contributor: WLTX-TV, Columbia, S.C.

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