Coast Guard suspends search for three from downed plane
The Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday night for three people after more than 12 hours of searching for survivors of a downed aircraft near Brookings.
John Belnap, the pilot, his son Max, 17, and a friend, Ryan Merker, 17, remain missing after the reported plane crash of a 1964 Cessna 172F, officials said.Other items believed to be from the plane also have washed ashore.
The plane was flying from Brookings to Grants Pass late Monday. Curry County Sheriff John Ward said the pilot’s wife reported the plane missing after her husband didn’t arrive home in Grants Pass.
The Grants Pass Daily Courier reports the teens attended Grants Pass High School, and a vigil was held there Tuesday night.
Coast Guard search efforts included crews aboard a C-27J Spartan fixed-wing aircraft from Air Station Sacramento, several MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station North Bend, and a boat crew aboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Chetco River in Brookings.
Coast Guard personnel conducted seven searches covering more than 540 square miles. The Civil Air Patrol and the Curry County Sheriff’s Office also provided search assets and personnel.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who remain missing after this extensive search,” said Capt. Todd Trimpert, commander of Sector North Bend.
Coast Guard search efforts began about 8 a.m. as an agency assist on behalf of the Air Force Regional Communication Center for inland search and rescue between the Grants Pass and Brookings airports, as the plane was overdue on a flight from Brookings to Grants Pass.
Coast Guard Sector North Bend took over as search mission coordinator from the the AFRCC late Tuesday morning after a backpack believed to belong to an occupant aboard the aircraft washed ashore near Lone Ranch Picnic Park, four miles north of the Brookings Airport.
Search conditions were ideal all day, consisting of clear skies with approximately 10 miles of visibility and light winds.
The cause of the incident is unknown at this time and will be investigated, officials said.
