Find Culminates A Two-Day Search

An aircrew from the Clarksburg Composite Squadron located the wreckage of a twin-engine Piper PA-30 Monday that had been reported missing after it left a Texas airport November 23 for Virginia.

The aircrew spotted the Piper about 0940 five miles north of the Rainelle VOR ground station. The crash site was confirmed about 1330, and West Virginia State Police took charge of the area.

The wing had been alerted about the missing plane early Sunday by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. The pilot, Kwan Kwok of Virginia, had taken off from Dalhart Municipal Airport in extreme northwest Texas without filing a flight plan, but officials believed the Piper's flight path made southern West Virginia the prime search area.

The last known contact with the pilot came when he left the airport. The flight would have lasted four to five hours. Weather conditions were windy, with low clouds and drizzling rain.

Six aircraft from the West Virginia Wing searched for the missing plane all day Sunday, and three planes were involved Monday. In addition, ground teams from the Beckley Composite and Charleston Cadet squadrons worked with searchers from the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, with assistance from the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com