Divers searched the ocean floor for wreckage of the plane RELATED VIDEO CNN's Kathleen Koch profiles John F. Kennedy Jr. Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Richard Roth reports on Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Jeff Flock reports on reaction from visitors at the JFK library in Boston Windows Media 28K 80K To view the latest video streams, use the arrow buttons below to scroll through the video gallery.        Windows Media Real        28 K 80 K RELATED AUDIO: Clinton expresses his support to the Kennedy and Bessette families (July 18) 218K/20 sec. AIFF or WAV sound  SPECIAL: Remembering John F. Kennedy Jr.   • Profile   • Pictorial Biography   • In his own words   • Flight Path and Search Area   • The Kennedy Tragedies   • Reactions  ALSO: Developments: Kennedy compound: Family keeps vigil, as crowds gather Bessette family tries to guard privacy amid public tragedy Mourners leave flowers, poetry on JFK doorstep The flight: JFK Jr.'s routine flight goes awry Reaction: Makeshift memorials mourn Kennedy crash victims Clinton, Gore reflect on Kennedy tragedy World's eyes again drawn to Kennedy family drama Background: JFK Jr. -- a lifelong focus of American celebrity obsession The Dynasty: TIME 100 Looks at the Kennedys Side-scan sonar takes wide survey of ocean floor MESSAGE BOARDS: Kennedy tragedy INTERACTIVE Kennedy Image Gallery INTERACTIVE: The ship Rude, equipped with a special sonar, searches off the Massachusetts coast for John Kennedy Jr.'s lost plane

July 19, 1999
Web posted at: 6:17 p.m. EDT (2217 GMT)

In this story: Kennedy and Bessettes' families make statements Bessettes' family issues statement, asks for privacy First divers at target sites emerge from water Families mourn privately RELATED STORIES, SITES

AQUINNAH, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Investigators said Monday that radar data indicate John F. Kennedy Jr.'s plane dropped dramatically in its final seconds -- a rate of 4,700 feet-per-minute.

Radar data indicate the plane was at an altitude of 2,200 feet at 9:40:20 p.m. Friday. Fourteen seconds later, the plane had plummeted to 1,100 feet.

Sen. Kennedy says family is 'filled with unspeakable grief'

In the first statement from a member of the Kennedy family, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy says "We are filled with unspeakable grief and sadness by the loss of John and Carolyn, and of Lauren Bessette. John was a shining light in all our lives, and in the lives of the nation and the world that first came to know him when he was a little boy."

In the written statement, the Kennedys said they now rely on their faith in God at this difficult time, and thanked the men and women who have worked diligently since Saturday morning to find the three.

The statement concluded: "We pray that John, Carolyn and Lauren will find eternal rest, and that God's perpetual light will shine on them." (Read the statement.)

Bessettes' family issues statement, asks for privacy

The family said they hoped to honor their daughter and her husband in death in the same "simple manner in which they chose to live their lives."

The statement, read by family friend Grant Stinchfield, said each of the three young people on the plane that went missing Friday was the "embodiment of love, accomplishment and passion for life."

The statement, issued by the sisters' stepfather and mother - - Dr. and Mrs. Richard Freeman -- and father -- William J. Bessette -- also included a plea for privacy.

Kennedy and his wife were "soulmates," the statement continued. And the family would "take solace in the thought that together they will comfort Lauren throughout eternity."

The statement also thanked everyone involved "in the exhaustive search for their beloved family members." (Read the complete statement.)

First divers at target sites emerge from water

Divers emerged from the sea Monday afternoon after searching "target" locations off Martha's Vineyard in hopes of finding the wreckage of the plane piloted by Kennedy.

"They are now out of the water, but ... we have no results on their search," Capt. Jack Gallant, a Navy spokesman, told CNN.

The 10 divers from the Massachusetts State Police had been dispatched by boat from Menemsha Harbor on Martha's Vineyard to two debris sites identified by the high-tech NOAA survey ship Rude (pronounced 'Rudy').

Gallant also said the USS Grasp arrived at about 2:30 p.m. EDT in the "operational area" southwest of Gay Head on the southwestern tip of Martha's Vineyard.

He said the Grasp is not expected to join the search-and- recovery effort until Tuesday. The ship carries remote- controlled underwater vehicles, called ROVs and a crew of 32 divers trained in deep-water dives.

Grasp divers can delve to a depth of 190 feet. In addition, the ship can lift wreckage weighing up to 40 tons to the surface.

Also on Monday, a side-scanning sensor will be installed on the Willow, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Michael Labine. The sensor, shaped like a torpedo, can examine a swath of ocean bottom 600 feet wide.

According to officials, recovering the plane's wreckage could take up to two weeks.

NTSB Chairman Jim Hall said an accident investigation could take six to nine months. But he conceded that even a lengthy investigation may not reveal what happened to the plane.

Searchers said Sunday they were interested in "a couple of targets" spotted by sonar about 60 feet to 80 feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. But officials stressed the locations are "simply potential targets" and not necessarily plane wreckage.

The single-engine Piper Saratoga II HP, piloted by Kennedy, vanished on a flight from New Jersey to Martha's Vineyard.

Families mourn privately

Members of the Kennedy family on Monday attended a Catholic Mass at the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport on Cape Cod.

The prayers were said in the large white tent that was to have been the site of Rory Kennedy's wedding, now postponed indefinitely.

Senator Edward Kennedy left Hyannisport Monday and flew to Long Island to console Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the senator's niece and the sister of John F. Kennedy Jr. Schlossberg had remained in seclusion at her Bridgehampton, New York. home with her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, and their three children since learning of her brother's disappearance.

Sources told CNN White House correspondent Chris Black that Caroline Kennedy and her uncle would take the lead in making decisions as the Kennedy family grapples with the loss of JFK Jr.

Correspondents Carl Rochelle, Mike Boettcher, Chris Black and Martin Savidge contributed to this report.

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