PLANE CRASH VICTIM NAMED AS PROFESSOR
THE pilot of a light aircraft which disappeared from radar screens off the Welsh coast has been named as an experienced flier and respected engineer.
Professor David Last, 79, a professor emeritus at the University of Bangor, was named as the missing pilot by police yesterday.
He was at the controls of a Cessna plane which is feared to have crashed off Anglesey during a flight from Caernarfon Airport to the Great Orme and back on Monday.
Due to adverse weather conditions in the area, HM Coastguard confirmed all search activities were suspended for the day yesterday shortly before 4pm.
Prof Last’s family released a statement in which they said they were all “heartbroken”.
They 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.”
A spokesman for North Wales Police said family liaison officers were supporting Prof Last’s family.
A rescue operation was first launched on Monday after reports of a plane disappearing from radar contact.
Police were called at lunchtime to what they described as a “possible crash involving a light aircraft” in the Penmon area on the south-east tip of Anglesey.
Chief inspector Essi Ahari later confirmed the plane in question had one pilot aboard and was on a flight from Caernarfon Airport to the Great Orme and back at the time.