Navy officer David Michael Jahn, who was expecting a child, and his flight instructor Taylor Dickey are presumed deceased after their Cessna 172 Skyhawk vanished from radar on November 24, 2025. The plane, which had departed from Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport, disappeared over Lake Pontchartrain, approximately four miles north of New Orleans Lakefront Airport.
The United Cajun Navy located the wreckage of the plane and their K9 unit indicated the potential presence of remains, bringing them closer to providing closure for the families. Jahn, a Civil Engineer Corps officer stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi, was married and his wife was five months pregnant. He was nearing completion of his commercial pilot's license.
The Coast Guard suspended its search operations after approximately 45 hours, having covered over 770 square miles, citing that every effort had been made to locate the individuals. The owner of the flight school that operated the plane stated that no distress call was made and that the aircraft likely disintegrated upon impact in a violent manner, noting the challenges of flying over water at night in adverse weather conditions. The United Cajun Navy conducted its search efforts despite harsh weather during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
