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Probe into light aircraft crash Probe into light aircraft crash
(about 2 hours later)
Investigations have resumed into a light aircraft crash in Argyll which killed three people. Police have said they believe a couple from England and their daughter, who was in her 20s, were the victims of the plane crash near Oban.
The plane carrying the family, which took off from Oban on Monday before being lost from radar screens, was heading for an airfield in Essex. The plane carrying the family, which took off from Oban on Monday morning before being lost from radar screens, was heading for an airfield in Essex.
Wreckage was found by a sheep farmer on the slopes of Carn Dearg, nine miles from Oban, on Tuesday afternoon. Wreckage, which was spread over a 400m area above Loch Scammadale. was found by a sheep farmer on Tuesday afternoon.
Strathclyde Police and an Air Accidents Investigations Branch team are carrying out examinations of the crash site. Investigators have been trying to establish why the crash happened.
The private aircraft, thought to be a Piper Apache, took off from Connell Airfield at 1135 BST on Monday morning. Chief Inspector Ciorstan Shearer of Strathclyde Police said the crashed plane was thought to be a PA28 Piper Arrow 3 light aircraft.
I know it is definitely not any of our members, but it is a great shame and a great loss Dave Whitelaw, Connell Flying Club Remote location
It was transporting three people, who have not been identified, to Andrewsfield, Great Saling, in Essex, via Blackpool. She said: "The inquiry is very much at the initial stages because it's such a rural setting.
Searches, that were being carried out by police, fire and mountain rescue teams, resumed at first light on Wednesday. "We are currently trying to establish who was on board the aircraft.
Two investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have also been sent to the site of the crash. "Inquiries lead us to believe that it was a couple from England and their adult daughter in her 20s.
On Tuesday night police officers questioned staff at the council-run airfield. "The priority for Strathclyde Police is to find out exactly what has happened here."
Dave Whitelaw, chairman of the Connell Flying Club, which operates out of Oban airport, said it was clear the plane was not from the local area. Police investigators are yet to examine the site, about nine miles south of Oban, in detail.
"I am not aware that there are any Piper Apaches based at Oban," he said. There is no legal requirement to notify your destination and therefore there may be no-one to initiate an overdue action A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman
Overdue action This was due to its remote location, Ms Shearer said.
"That would suggest they are not locals but visitors. I know it is definitely not any of our members, but it is a great shame and a great loss." She added that members of her team were liaising with staff from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, who are helping to direct the inquiry.
A farmer alerted police to the wreckage at about 1535 BST on Tuesday.
The plane had taken off from Connell Airfield at 1135 BST on Monday, heading for Andrewsfield, Great Saling, in Essex, via Blackpool.
Farmer's field
It was more than 24 hours before wreckage of the aircraft was discovered.It was more than 24 hours before wreckage of the aircraft was discovered.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said there was no legal requirement for a private pilot to file a flight plan unless they were going abroad or crossing a large expanse of water.A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said there was no legal requirement for a private pilot to file a flight plan unless they were going abroad or crossing a large expanse of water.
He added: "A big international airfield can track flights and launch a search and rescue if necessary.He added: "A big international airfield can track flights and launch a search and rescue if necessary.
"However, a private pilot may be leaving from a small airstrip or even a patch of land in a farmer's field."However, a private pilot may be leaving from a small airstrip or even a patch of land in a farmer's field.
"No-one may be aware they have left let alone not arrived at their destination. There is no legal requirement to notify your destination and therefore there may be no-one to initiate an overdue action." "No-one may be aware they have left, let alone not arrived at their destination. There is no legal requirement to notify your destination and therefore there may be no-one to initiate an overdue action."