Meticulous plane search

Photo: JRCC - file photo

The search for a missing small white plane that took off from Parkland Airport in Spruce Grove, Alta., continues in full force Tuesday.

A single-engine, white Van RV6 aircraft with two people on board was supposed to land in Chilliwack after taking off from Edmonton, but vanished.

Victoria's Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre was alerted to the overdue plane on September 14 at 2 p.m.

Tuesday marks day five in the search for the plane and crews have been scouring along Highway 5 between Valemount and Clearwater.

Two Royal Canadian Air Force CC-115 Buffalo fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft and two CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and six Civil Air Search and Rescue Association aircraft have been dedicated to the search.

Searchers and pilots have focused in on Blue River, just over 100 kilometres from Clearwater, for the second day in a row.

JRCC spokesperson Katelyn Moores tells Castanet News the area is a priority based on the filed flight plan, cell tower and radar information.

“It is a very densely and forested area so they are taking their time to go over that area,” said Moores.

The search was hindered over the weekend due to cloudy conditions, but weather improved today providing good visibility

"The weather is improving today, higher ceilings, increased visibility and just slight winds expected," she said. “We are focused on the search and doing everything we can."

No further details about the pilot and passenger have been released.