UPDATE |
INDIANA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — State police investigators say the body of a 75-year-old Altoona pilot was found late Thursday morning following an extensive search for him and his missing plane.
Authorities say David Edward Wittmer was first reported missing Wednesday evening after he was last seen practicing ‘touch-and-go’ landings in a field in Young Township.
Troopers say around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Wittmer’s crashed Ultralight aircraft was reportedly discovered in a cornfield, near Coal Run Road, approximately one mile from where he had last taken off.
Investigators say Wittmer’s next-of-kin has been notified and his death has been preliminarily ruled as accidental.
Officials say the Federal Aviation Administration has also been notified of the crash site.
ORIGINAL |
State police are searching for a missing Altoona pilot and his aircraft after he reportedly failed to return from practicing ‘touch-and-go landings’ in Indiana County.
Investigators say 75-year-old David Edward Wittmer was last seen in his Ultralight aircraft Wednesday evening while practicing the landings in a field near Church Street in Young Township.
Authorities believe that Wittmer took off from the field sometime between 6 and 6:30 p.m.
Investigators say troopers later found Wittmer’s cellphone and camper near the field where he was reportedly practicing.
While troopers believe that he and his aircraft would likely be found within a two to six-mile radius of the field, authorities note that the plane has a range of up to 100 miles.
Investigators say an extensive search began Wednesday evening/night and has continued since early Thursday morning.
Wittmer is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet, 1 inches tall, with gray hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on his possible whereabouts is asked to contact 911.
