A search is underway for an American aircraft reported down approximately 120 nautical miles east of St. John’s.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax received a Garmin SOS notification and an Emergency Locator Transmission this morning at approximately 9:30 Newfoundland time.

The aircraft involved is a small single engine pontoon plane with one man on board.

The Coast Guard, a PAL aircraft, a Hercules out of Greenwood Nova Scotia, a Cormorant from 9-Wing Gander and a couple of fishing vessels are involved in the search.

A spokesperson with the JRCC says a pontoon and an empty, orange life raft were found floating on the surface in the search area.

Conditions in the search area are deteriorating with a 300 foot ceiling and visibility reduced to about 2 nautical miles.

The aircraft had departed St. John’s with a flight plan indicating it was bound for the Azores, but officials are checking that information to see if it’s accurate.