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Missing plane investigated

Search crews are focusing their investigative efforts for a missing plane on an area between Clearwater and Valemount on Sunday.

The Royal Canadian Air Force sent out another aircraft to help in the ongoing search for a small white plane that left from Edmonton, Alta. and failed to arrive in Chilliwack, B.C. A total of three RCAF aircraft and seven Civil Air Search and Rescue aircraft are involved in the search now.

Lt. Navy Tony Wright said the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre was notified on Friday at 2 p.m. that it was overdue.

“We wouldn’t be searching if we didn’t believe there was a chance of survivability,” said Wright.

Officials say the aircraft is a small two-passenger, single-engine private plane called a Van RV-6.

A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter joined two helicopters on Sunday.

“They are joined by seven CASARA aircraft,” said Wright. “The search area is experiencing occasional low ceilings, low visibility and light rain.”

Searchers will focus on a corridor along Highway 5 from Chilliwack to Valemount on Sunday.

“We have done a good search of the southern portion yesterday and unfortunately we had to shut down that southern piece because of weather today,” said Wright. “But our focus today is on a corridor between Clearwater and Valemount.”

Few details have been released about the two people on board, but the pilot is a man.



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