Only Person Believed Onboard Cirrus SR22

French search crews are working to locate any sign of a Cirrus SR22 that went missing Sunday night off the Channel island of Jersey.

Agence-France Presse reports the aircraft (type shown above) departed Kent around 6 pm local. Controllers lost contact with the aircraft about 14 miles from the French post of Cherbourg.

The British pilot was the only person onboard the plane, said maritime police spokesman Yann Bizien.

"We are unable at this time to offer any information as to the causes or the circumstances of this accident, neither wreckage nor the pilot have been found," Bizien said. "Clearly the longer the search goes on, the more worries we have for the safety of the pilot."

Both aerial and maritime search efforts are now underway, with crews on three surface ships being aided by aircraft and helicopters operated by the French navy. A fourth passenger ship was also called on to assist search efforts.

Bizien said crews are aided in their efforts by relatively calm waters in the Channel... though as time drags on, he also noted a low probability for the pilot's survival due to the cool (56 degrees F) waters.

"It is unlikely even a strong person could survive more than nine hours in the water, and a weaker person could perish in three hours," he said.

FMI: www.defense.gouv.fr/marine_uk