A Cessna that took off from New Orleans' Lakefront Airport was reported missing on Monday evening after losing contact with air traffic controllers while over Lake Pontchartrain, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard had launched an MH-60 helicopter and a 29-foot response boat, said Petty Officer Cheyenne Basurto. It was notified of the missing plane at 6:36 pm, and the number of people on board remained unclear.

The plane was about 4 miles north of the airport when contact was lost, said Basurto.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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