Private investigators find wreckage of missing Sala’s aircraft

The wreckage of the aircraft which disappeared over the English Channel in January carrying English Premier League player Emiliano Sala and his pilot has been located.

David Mearns, the marine scientist directing the search, made this disclosure on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had been en route on January 21 from Nantes in western France with pilot David Ibbotson to make his debut for Welsh team Cardiff City.

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The plane was believed to have crashed into the sea. A privately-funded underwater search had begun on Sunday, several days after investigators said they found two seat cushions on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft.

“Wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and piloted by David Ibbotson was located early this morning,” Mearns said on Twitter.

Mearns said Britain’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) had moved its vessel over the position his team had located to visually identify the plane using a remote-operated vehicle.

“The families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by police. The AAIB will be making a statement tomorrow.

Tonight, our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David,” Mearns said.(NAN)