Navy Searching For Missing Jet

(AP)  The Navy is searching for a twin-engine jet and four aviators who are missing since their training flight vanished en route from Tennessee 20 minutes after takeoff.

A Navy instructor, a Navy student, an Air Force student and a civilian contract pilot were aboard the missing Navy T-39 Sabreliner, said Lt. j.g. Sean Robertson, Navy South Region public affairs officer.

The Sabreliner took off around 11 a.m. Tuesday from Chattanooga, Tenn. The last radio contact came at 11:20 a.m. when the pilot contacted the national center, Robertson said. It was scheduled to arrive at Pensacola Naval Air Station around 3 p.m.

"All we know is the aircraft made contact, and we haven't heard anything since," he said.

Navy officials declined to disclose the aircraft's route, whether it carried distress or locator beacons and where authorities were searching. The identities of aviators have not been released.

Sabreliners are used for training navigators and other non-pilot air crew officers for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and foreign military services.