SEARCH GOES ON FOR MISSING PILOT, 79:
NO SIGN OF PROFESSOR SINCE FLIGHT VANISHED FROM RADAR
APOLICE helicopter was brought in to help search for missing pilot David Last.
The National Police Air Service has been scouring the Anglesey coast from Puffin Island towards Amlwch in the search for the 79-year-old.
Professor Last was flying a Cessna light aircraft on Monday November 25 when it lost radar contact near Puffin Island at around 12.45pm.
The plane had taken off from Caernarfon Airport and was due to fly over the Great Orme and return to Gwynedd, but it never made it back.
Extensive searches involving the coastguard, lifeboats, a search and rescue helicopter and police divers have been carried out but Professor Last has not been found.
The Bangor University research vessel the Prince Madog was also out looking for the plane and pilot. It is equipped with specialist equipment including sonar.
A North Wales Police spokesman said on Friday: “Coastline searches are continuing to find Professor James Last and the missing light aircraft.
“The searches will be conducted by the National Police Air Service Aircraft along the Anglesey coast from Puffin Island towards Amlwch, with assistance of the Bangor University Research Vessel the Prince Madog.”
Debris was discovered by the RNLI on Monday and has been handed over to the Air Accident Investigation Branch, which is investigating why the plane may have crashed and will confirm if is from Prof Last’s Skyhawk.
The professor has been hailed as an expert in navigation with friends and colleagues saying he was globally renowned in his field.
Police are continuing to support his devastated family.
His family said: “Professor David Last was a consultant engineer and expert witness specialising in radio navigation and communications systems.
“He was a professor emeritus at the University of Bangor, past president of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a respected figure in the worldwide navigation community.
“He was an experienced, instrument-rated pilot.
“Most importantly to us, he was head of the family: a much loved father, husband, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend, and we are all heartbroken.
“We would appreciate respect for our privacy during this difficult time.”