Seat cushions ‘probably from plane carrying Sala’
TWO seat cushions have been found which are likely to have come from the plane carrying missing footballer Emiliano Sala, UK investigators have said.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was advised by its French counterparts on Monday that part of a cushion was found on a beach near Surtainville on the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy.
A second cushion was found in the same area later that day.
The AAIB said in a statement: “From a preliminary examination we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft.”
It went on: “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.”
The AAIB has established a “priority search area” of around four square nautical miles and commissioned a specialist vessel to carry out a survey of the seabed. It would not confirm the location but said it is where it believes the aircraft entered the sea.
Due to the weather and sea conditions, this is expected to start at the end of this weekend and could take up to three days.
If wreckage is found, a remotely operated vehicle will be used to examine it.
The AAIB said it is aware that a privately-funded search is also being conducted and is “liaising closely with those involved to maximise the chance of locating any wreckage and ensure a safe search operation”.
Marine scientist David Mearns is assisting the family of footballer Sala, who had just signed for Cardiff City, with this separate search.
He said on Monday it would focus on an area of 25 square nautical miles on the seabed north of Alderney.
The Piper PA-46 Malibu carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson disappeared over the English Channel on January 21 after leaving the western French city of Nantes.
It requested to descend then lost contact with Jersey air traffic control. Donations from footballers, including Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan, have already helped a Gofundme campaign raising money for a private search surpass its € 300,000 (£262,000) target.