Emiliano Sala: Search for missing plane carrying Cardiff City footballer ends on Thursday afternoon with chances of survival ‘extremely remote’

Emiliano Sala: Search for missing plane carrying Cardiff City footballer ends on Thursday afternoon with chances of survival ‘extremely remote’
The search for the missing plane carrying Cardiff City player Emiliano Sala and a pilot has been ended,it has confirmed.Harbour Master Captain David Barker said in a statement that the difficult decision has been made to call off the search on Thursday afternoon with “no trace” of the aircraft yet found.Sala and his pilot David Ibbotson have been missing since their plane, travelling from Nantes to Cardiff, disappeared from radar near the Casquets lighthouse, Alderney on Monday evening.3

Nantes supporters gathered to lay flowers for Emiliano Sala after learning of his disappearance

Despite the search resuming on Thursday morning, it was ended as confirmed in the statement from Mr Barker, released by Guernsey Police.“My team have just met to review the search and rescue operation which has been underway since the plane disappeared on Monday night,” the statement read.“Despite the best efforts of air and search assets from the Channel Islands, UK and France, which has covered an area of approximately 1,700sq. miles – with a significant amount of this searched more than once – and having examined mobile phone data and satellite imagery, we have been unable to find any trace of the aircraft, the pilot or the passenger.“There has been over 24 hours of continuous search, with 80 hours combined flying time across three planes and five helicopters. Two lifeboats have also been involved, as well as assistance from various passing ships and fishing boats.“We reviewed all the information available to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search.”It continued: “The chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote.“Next of kin have been informed of this development, and my thoughts go out to the family of the pilot and passenger at this most difficult of times.

3.15pm Update.Please read the attached statement.Unless there is a significant development, there will be no further updates pic.twitter.com/jbEIFMB3zi— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) January 24, 2019

“This has been a very thorough and extensive search, coordinated from the Guernsey-based Joint Emergency Services Control Centre and has seen exemplary cooperation from all countries involved, for which I would like to extend my personal thanks.“The final aircraft searching for the missing plane and those on board has now landed. Although we are no longer actively search, the incident remains open and we will be broadcasting to all vessels and aircraft in the area to keep a look out for any trace of the aircraft. This will continue indefinitely.”Speaking to the press, Mr Barker revealed Sala’s family are not happy with the decision to end the search.“I understand that Emiliano Sala’s family are not content with the decision to stop the search and I fully understand that,” he said.Mr Barker added he had followed protocols used by the UK Coastguard in coming to the decision, and added: “I’m absolutely confident that we could not have done any more.” On Wednesday, an audio recording allegedly sent by Sala from the aircraft was shared on Argentinian media.The footballer can be heard saying he is “scared” and aboard a plane that “seems like it is falling to pieces”.Rough sea conditions are reducing the likelihood of survivors being found, one rescue leader said.John Fitzgerald, chief officer of Channel Islands Air Search, said: “I can’t see how anybody could survive in such temperatures for that length of time.“Looking at the sea conditions today it’s very rough out there, there’s a good strong wind blowing, with sea conditions [that] are pretty horrendous.”Humberside Police confirmed on Wednesday evening that Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, near Scunthorpe, was the pilot of the plane.A force spokesman said: “We can confirm that North Lincolnshire man David Ibbotson is believed to be the pilot of the light aircraft that went missing near Guernsey on Monday 21 January.“Specially trained officers are supporting Mr Ibbotson’s family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”Mr Ibbotson was associated with skydiving company Target Skysports, based in Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire.3

The aircraft went missing just off Alderney, which lies 10 miles from the western border of the Cotentin Peninsula

The single-turbine engine Piper PA-46 Malibu left Nantes in France at 7.15pm for Cardiff, and after requesting to descend, lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.The AAIB said the plane’s registration number was N264DB and that it was investigating the loss of the plane while working closely with authorities in the US, France and Argentina.The plane’s registered owner is Suffolk-based company Southern Aircraft Consultancy (SAC), according to the US Federal Aviation Administration.A SAC spokesman confirmed the company was a trustee for the plane for “registration purposes only” and it was cooperating with authorities.“We learnt of the missing aircraft yesterday and are deeply concerned for those who are missing. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time,” he added on behalf of Trustors. Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman revealed the club had not booked Sala’s flight and the footballer “made his own arrangements”.Sala was signed by Premier League strugglers Cardiff from FC Nantes for a club record 15million and was due to start training on Tuesday.3

Emiliano Sala completed a move to Cardiff from Nantes last week

The 28-year-old posted a picture with his former Nantes team-mates on Monday captioned “the last goodbye” before flying to Wales.Cardiff’s chief executive Ken Choo said the club was “shocked” and distressed” by the plane’s disappearance.A rally was held in Nantes city centre on Tuesday night where fans sang songs and laid tributes.Clubs and players across the world took to social media to send their thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of Sala and the pilot.

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