LONDON – Air accident
investigators said on Monday they had found the wreckage of the missing
aircraft carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala on the seabed near
Guernsey, and that a body was visible inside.
The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had been en route
from Nantes in western France with pilot David Ibbotson to make his
debut for Welsh team Cardiff
City when the plane is
believed to have crashed into the sea on January 21
“The object is wreckage from the missing Piper Malibu
aircraft,” Britain's
Air Accidents Investigation Branch said in a statement.
“Tragically, in video footage from the ROV, one occupant is
visible amidst the wreckage.
“The AAIB is now considering the next steps, in consultation
with the families of the pilot and passenger, and the police.”
The wreckage was found on Sunday following a
privately-funded underwater search which began after two seat cushions were
discovered on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft.
The AAIB said it had now concluded it was the missing Piper
Malibu aircraft, issuing an underwater image of the crashed plane with part of
its registration number – N264DB – clearly visible.
“The image shows the rear left side of the fuselage,
including part of the aircraft registration,” the AAIB said.
“We intend to publish an interim report within one month of
the accident occurring.”
Update: AAIB investigation into the loss of light aircraft N264DB https://t.co/nlUR7G0fyZ pic.twitter.com/88z6YjOBgP
— AAIB (@aaibgovuk) February 4, 2019