Timeline of a tragedy

How the events surrounding the flight unfurled

Jan 21 The single-turbine engine Piper PA-46 Malibu leaves Nantes at 7.15pm for Cardiff. A search is launched at 8.50pm after the plane disappears from radar in the English Channel.

Jan 22 The French civil aviation authority confirms Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala, 28, was on board. The pilot was David Ibbotson, from Crowle, near Scunthorpe.

Jan 24 After more than 80 hours combined flying time involving three planes and five helicopters, the search is called off. The player’s sister, Romina Sala, begs rescue workers to keep looking, and is later backed by Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Sergio Aguero.

Jan 26 Football agent Willie McKay says he arranged the flight but had no involvement in selecting the plane or pilot.

Jan 27 Relatives of Sala arrive in Guernsey, having enlisted the help of shipwreck hunting expert David Mearns.

Jan 30 The Air Accidents Investigation Branch says that two seat cushions found washed up near Surtainville on the Cotentin Peninsula are likely to have come from the plane.

Feb 3 Wreckage is located after more than £260,000 is raised for the privately-funded search.

Feb 4 A body is visible in seabed video footage of the wreckage.

Feb 6 The body is recovered, but the aircraft remains 67 metres underwater 21 miles off Guernsey as poor weather forces recovery operation to be abandoned.

Feb 8 Ibbotson’s daughter,

Danielle, launches a campaign to fund a search for her father. Donations are around £250,000.

Feb 16 Sala’s funeral is held in Progreso in the Argentine province of Santa Fe.