British Columbia

RCMP continue search for missing plane, 2 people in Maple Ridge

Authorities continue to search for a missing plane and its two occupants in Maple Ridge, B.C., after someone reported seeing it fly over the Fraser River, go into the water and then disappear on Saturday.

Police say witness spotted small white airplane flying above the Fraser River before hitting the water

An RCMP officer searches for signs of a missing plane on June 6, 2020. A new report from the Transportation Safety Board said the plane hit a power line before going into the Fraser River near Maple Ridge, B.C. (Jon Hernandez/CBC News)

Authorities continue to search for a missing plane and its two occupants in Maple Ridge, B.C., after someone reported seeing it fly over the Fraser River, go into the water and then disappear on Saturday.

Ridge Meadows RCMP say in a statement they received the report from one witness after 1 p.m. Saturday in the area of 287th Street and Lougheed Highway.

Ridge Meadows RCMP, the Vancouver Police Department's marine unit, RCMP air services and other authorities searched the area for the possible downed airplane or debris Saturday, but did not find anything.

The RCMP say they received a report from Boundary Bay Airport late Saturday afternoon that a small plane similar in size and colour to the witness's description with two people onboard was overdue, though the pilot's initial flight plan did not take the plane in the area where the report occurred.

The Transportation Safety Board and the families of those on board have been contacted.

The search continued until 7 p.m. PT Saturday and resumed Sunday, but there have been no confirmed sightings or recovery of any debris, as well as no contact with the two individuals on the plane.