Family Search Finds Missing Plane After Snow Goes


A follow-up search funded by members of a missing pilot’s family found the wreck of his Piper Comanche with his and the body of his friend inside. The wreckage was spotted May 21 about 60 km. north of Sault Ste Marie from a civilian helicopter hired by the family of Brian Slingerland who was with John Fehr on the flight that went down April 14. A police helicopter also took part in the second search. The official search, involving law enforcement, military and civilian volunteer searchers, was called off April 24. 

The duo were ferrying the newly acquired Comanche from Dehli, Ontario, east of London, back to their homes in Alberta and their first stop was to be Marathon, Ontario. The plane dropped off radar and the official search ensued. The area was buried in snow at the time and the aircraft was white. Most of the snow was gone when the second search took place. The wreckage was found about seven km. from the last radar contact.

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