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Light plane missing in blizzard | Light plane missing in blizzard |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A search is under way in the Cairngorms for a light aircraft which has been reported missing in bad weather. | |
The alert was raised shortly before 1100 BST when the aircraft, with one person on board, lost contact with air traffic controllers. | |
The aircraft is reported to have been seen heading south in the area of the Ptarmigan restaurant at the top of the Cairngorm funicular railway. | |
Two rescue helicopters are searching an area of about 50 square miles. | |
Weather conditions in the area are described as severe, with poor visibility and snow showers. | Weather conditions in the area are described as severe, with poor visibility and snow showers. |
The aircraft set off from Carlisle at about 0900 BST. | |
However, it is believed its journey began in Wolverhampton. | However, it is believed its journey began in Wolverhampton. |
One has to remember what the weather can be like up there, it can be quite Arctic Michael MulfordRAF spokesman | One has to remember what the weather can be like up there, it can be quite Arctic Michael MulfordRAF spokesman |
RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said the alarm was raised when the pilot lost contact with controllers who had been speaking to him at regular intervals. | |
He suggested fears were growing for the man but he stressed rescuers were still holding on to the possibility there could be a happy resolution to the alert. | He suggested fears were growing for the man but he stressed rescuers were still holding on to the possibility there could be a happy resolution to the alert. |
Mr Mulford said: "At the moment, we cannot say that he has indeed crashed but he is feared missing. | Mr Mulford said: "At the moment, we cannot say that he has indeed crashed but he is feared missing. |
"It's simply at the alert stage. It has not officially reached distress stage or anything like that because it's early days. | "It's simply at the alert stage. It has not officially reached distress stage or anything like that because it's early days. |
"But one has to remember what the weather can be like up there, it can be quite Arctic." | "But one has to remember what the weather can be like up there, it can be quite Arctic." |