Oregon Authorities Searching for Missing Plane

Salem-News.com will have more on this story as soon as it becomes available.

The Civil Air Patrol utilizes a fleet of over 500 single engined aircraft, such as this Cessna 182, to conduct it's nationwide mission of air search and rescue, homeland security, emergency services and aerospace education.

(AURORA, Ore. ) - The Oregon U.S. Civil Air Patrol is opening a search effort this morning for an aircraft reported missing yesterday on a flight that began at the Aurora State Airport.

The CAP will be initiating the search from their Northern Command Center located at the North end of the field next to Willamette Aviation and Columbia Helicopters.

The aircraft, a single engine Piper Cub with only the pilot on board,was reported missing Saturday.

The pilot, a retired airline pilot, had been making local practice flights from the Aurora Airport on Saturday when he failed to return. There has been no cell phone or radio contact with the pilot.

Additional details will follow asthey become available.

The Oregon Civil Air Patrol is the lead agency on this search underassignment by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and theOregon Emergency Management.