12/5/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Search resumes Thursday morning for missing plane in Valley County
Contact: Valley County Information Center: 208-382-7319
CASCADE - The search for the airplane that went missing in remote Valley County on Sunday (Dec. 1) resumes this morning. Today (Thursday, Dec. 5) marks the fifth day of the search. Ground search crews rested overnight near the remote community of Yellow Pine, Idaho.
Ground teams are focusing on drainages east of Johnson Creek airport. Aircraft are assigned to specific areas in the vicinity, and will use a grid pattern in the attempt to locate the missing aircraft.
Today's search includes five airplanes - two from the Civil Air Patrol, and three coordinated from the Idaho Transportation Department. Ground teams include a team from the Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue unit, and personnel from the Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Valley County Search and Rescue, Idaho Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, family members and the Idaho Transportation Department.
“Today we have clear weather and are continuing the search,” said Incident Commander Lt. Dan Smith with the Valley County Sheriff’s Office.
“The terrain of the search area continues to be a challenge, and our thoughts are with the family of those believed to be on the plane.”
Incident commanders emphasize that volunteers are not requested to assist in the search, due to the extreme, remote and mountainous terrain and the concern for safety of those involved in the search.