PA/GettyThe body of Emiliano Sala, the Cardiff City signing whose plane went missing in the English Channel, has been identified among the wreckage of th flight.
The plane was flying from Nantes, western France, to Cardiff, Wales, when it disappeared near the Casquets lighthouse on the island of Alderney.
The wreckage itself was found on February 3 with hopes the bodies of Sala and David Ibbotson, the plane’s pilot, may be recoverable. Air accident investigators said a body was visible in the wreckage of the plane.
Dorset Police have now confirmed the identity of the body Sala having brought it from the wreckage, BBC reports.
Air accident investigators say body visible in wreckage of plane that went missing carrying Emiliano Sala & pilot David Ibbotson.
Pic of wreckage released by Air Accident Investigation Branch pic.twitter.com/iq2QsNAqIp— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 4, 2019
After the plane disappeared, teams from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), as well as a privately funded search on behalf of Sala’s family, conducted operations to examine and search the area.
Sky News reporter Tom Parmenter took to Twitter to confirm the discovery of the plane on Sunday night.
The wreckage was located on the seabed of the English Channel earlier this morning and has now been positively identified – search boat led by @davidlmearns made the discovery. The @aaibgovuk vessel remains in the area to oversee recovery.
— Tom Parmenter (@TomSkyNews) February 3, 2019
He tweeted:
The wreckage was located on the seabed of the English Channel earlier this morning and has now been positively identified – search boat led by @davidlmearns made the discovery. The @aaibgovuk vessel remains in the area to oversee recovery.
On Wednesday, January 30, cushions believed to be from the missing aircraft were found washed up on a beach near Surtainville, on France’s Cotentin Peninsula, BBC News reports.
GettyThe AAIB identified an area of four square nautical miles in which to search, including underwater searches, by assessing the plane’s flight path and last known radar position.
The teams used sonar equipment to locate any debris or parts of the plane on the sea bed.
After finding the cushions from the plane, the AAIB released a statement, which read, via The Guardian:
Since we opened our safety investigation on Tuesday 23 January, we have been gathering evidence such as flight, aircraft and personnel records, and have been analysing radar data and air traffic tapes. We have been working closely with other international authorities and have kept the families of those involved updated on our progress.
From the moment we were notified of the missing aircraft, we have been looking at the feasibility of conducting an underwater seabed search for aircraft wreckage. Based on a detailed assessment of the flight path and last known radar position, we have now identified a priority search area of approximately four square nautical miles.
PA ImagesIt continued:
Through the Ministry of Defence’s salvage and marine operations project team, we have commissioned a specialist survey vessel to carry out an underwater survey of the seabed to try to locate and identify possible aircraft wreckage.
Due to the weather and sea conditions, we currently expect our underwater seabed search to start at the end of this weekend and to take up to three days. Side-scan sonar equipment will be used to try to locate the wreckage on the seabed. If the wreckage is found, a remotely operated vehicle will be used to visually examine the wreckage.
GettyOn Thursday, January 24, the official search for the plane was called off by Guernsey officials, as they believed there was little chance those onboard survived.
More than £290,000 was raised to conduct a private search for the aircraft and the two men onboard following an appeal from the family of Sala, and Argentine President Mauricio Macri.
The privately funded search for the plane carrying Emiliano will be conducted, on behalf of the Sala family, in close coordination with the AAIB search effort. The two vessels will work together to search the designated area as safely, completely and efficiently as possible.
— David Mearns (@davidlmearns) January 30, 2019
David Mearns, the marine scientist leading the privately funded team, said his operation would work alongside the AAIB. While the AAIB said they too would liaise with those involved and try to establish why the plane did not reach its destination.
As reported by Sky News the family of Sala have been informed of the discovery.
Our thoughts are with the families of Emiliano Sala and Dave Ibbotson at this difficult time.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Tim Horner is a sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated with a BA Journalism from University College Falmouth before most his colleagues were born. A previous editor of adult mags, he now enjoys bringing the tone down in the viral news sector.