Searches For Missing Aircraft Enter Third Day

ANN REAL TIME UPDATE: 0800 EDT -- The search for a New Jersey pilot missing since Sunday entered its third day with no sign of the 58-year old man and no sign of his yellow Cessna 182.

It was one of two searches underway in New Jersey Monday, after a helicopter disappeared in the southern part of the state. Authorities concentrated their efforts to find the yellow-and-white helo near a cell tower, after they called the cell phone of one of the two people thought to be on board and traced its signal to that tower.

Roland Anthony Melanson's Cessna disappeared from radar screens over Sussex County, NJ, at approximately 0730 Sunday. Authorities said he was the only person on board. Melanson had departed Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, CT, after obtaining an FAA clearance (type unknown).

State troopers said Melanson was just four miles from the airport when he apparently tried to turn back, then disappeared.

The area is described as rugged and densely wooded.

State police are using a helicopter, boats and ground teams -- some equipped with infrared tracking systems -- to locate the 182, but have so far come up empty-handed.

The helicopter, thought to be carrying Thomas Navickas, 61, of Clearwater, FL, and Christian Gafke, 34, of New Orleans, LA,

The search for the helicopter (type not known) was centered on Atlantic County, near Mullica Township. New Jersey forestry officials prepared to use bulldozers, if needed, to clear a path to any potential crash site.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov