Two seat cushions have been been discovered which are likely to have come from the plane carrying missing Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has said.
Sala, who disappeared just two days after joining the Bluebirds in a £15million transfer, has not been seen since last Monday when his flight went missing over the English Channel.
A statement has declared from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said in a statement: “On the morning of Monday January 28, we were advised by the Bureau d’Enquetes & d’Analyses, the French safety investigation authority, that part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surainville on the Cotentin Peninsula.
“A second cushion was found in the same area later that day.
“From a preliminary examination, we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft.”
Sala had been returning to south wales from Nantes on January 21, having bid farewell to his teammates at the French club.
However, the flight carrying Sala and pilot Dave Ibbotson disappeared from radar after making a request to descend.
A subsequent three-day search for the aircraft found no trace of either the plane or those on board.
Now, following the discovery, an official underwater search of an area of around four square nautical miles is now due to take place this week.
Statement in full
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.
On the morning of Monday 28 January, we were advised by the Bureau d’Enquêtes & d’Analyses (BEA), the French safety investigation authority, that part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surainville on the Cotentin Peninsula. A second cushion was found in the same area later that day. From a preliminary examination we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft.
From the moment we were notified of the missing aircraft, we have been looking at the feasibility of conducting an underwater seabed search for aircraft wreckage. Based on a detailed assessment of the flight path and last known radar position, we have now identified a priority search area of approximately four square nautical miles.
Through the Ministry of Defence’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) Project Team, we have commissioned a specialist survey vessel to carry out an underwater survey of the seabed to try to locate and identify possible aircraft wreckage.
Due to the weather and sea conditions, we currently expect our underwater seabed search to start at the end of this weekend and to take up to three days. Side-scan sonar equipment will be used to try to locate the wreckage on the seabed. If the wreckage is found, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be used to visually examine the wreckage.
We are aware that a privately operated search is also being conducted in the area, and we are liaising closely with those involved to maximise the chance of locating any wreckage and ensure a safe search operation.
Our remit is to undertake safety investigations to establish the cause of accidents. We do not apportion blame or liability.
source: Mirror
