Date:  Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Contact: Nisha Marvel, WSDOT Aviation communications, 360-651-6310

CHEHALIS – Search teams are continuing to look for a missing twin-engine Cessna aircraft with a pilot and two passengers on board in the Chehalis area.

Radar information has narrowed the search to an area about 10 miles northeast of Morton in mountainous terrain. Rain, wind and rough terrain continue to challenge search teams this morning.

Despite the conditions, two helicopters searched the area between White Pass and Chehalis for most of the day yesterday. Continued air resources will be deployed today as the weather permits.

The missing plane departed from the Chehalis Airport Monday morning, Oct. 25, and its pilot reported that an engine was down over the Packwood/Morton area. Air traffic control lost radar contact with the aircraft at 7:44 a.m. The plane was headed to Lewiston, Idaho.

Search teams from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Lewis County Sheriff’s Office are coordinating the search effort.

If you have information about the missing aircraft, please e-mail missingaircraft@wsdot.wa.gov or call 206-410-0461.

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