Coast Guard ends search for pilot missing over Gulf of Mexico

Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has halted a search for an Oklahoma doctor whose aircraft went missing over the Gulf of Mexico.

The Coast Guard and Mexico's navy searched some 17,458 nautical miles for Dr. Bill Kinsinger, 55, who was last seen Wednesday. He departed that day from Wiley Post Airport in his Cirrus aircraft bound for Georgetown, Texas, where he planned to pick up a rescue dog.

"Ending a search is a difficult decision that we put the [utmost] thought and consideration into," said Capt. David Cooper, chief of incident management, Eight Coast Guard District. "Dr. Kinsinger was a well-loved man and our hearts go out to everyone impacted during the tragic time."

KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City reported Kinsinger likely suffered from hypoxia while flying the plane, a condition in which the body is deprived of oxygen.