OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. — Search and rescue crews with the Washington State Department of Transportation have located a missing plane and its passengers in Aeneas Valley near Tonasket around 4:30 Sunday afternoon.
According to WSDOT, the plane took off from British Columbia heading for Grangeville, Idaho on Saturday. A pilot and passenger were on board when the pilot lost communication with air traffic control.
The pilot’s daughter reported the aircraft missing to the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office.
Search and rescue teams began looking for the aircraft between Oroville and Okanogan, using cell phone forensics to help try and identify potential search areas. The Colville Confederated Tribes also helped with ground search efforts.
WSDOT says no distress signals were received overnight.
The families have been notified of today’s findings.
“On behalf of the search and rescue team, WSDOT extends our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” said WSDOT Air Search and Rescue Coordinator and Incident Commander Tom Peterson. “We are thankful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise and resources to this search effort.”
For more information and updates on the search, click here.
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