Multi-nation search for missing plane in Darien
A military simulation exercise to test the preparedness of the Panama Canal against terrorist attack turned into a search and rescue operation for some particpants on the weekend.
The became parch of a multi-nation hunt for a missing plane and six people aboard.
A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)- Cessna 210 owned disappeared over Darien on Friday while returning from a mission to check communications antenna.
The single engined aircraftregistration number N-214M, was flying at 6,000 ft over anarea known as Playa de Muerto, (Beach of Death 15 miles from Jaque to , when it vanished from radar.
The search began at 11:00 am. On Frid ay by aircraft of the Naval Service and boats of the Civil Protection agency Sinaproc).
The search was expanded to include naval patrols from Colombiaand Honduras, and U.S. aircraft that were in the country as part of the simulation exercises Panamax 2011., said CAA directorRafael Barcenas. "We have no accurate information of what happened," he said late Saturday when no trace of the missing plane was found.
It was piloted by Captain Hugo Cervantes. With pilot José Guadamuz s traveling as apassenger.The other passengers who had been engaged in servicing the country's airport infrastructurewere ChristianArrocha ,Ciro Paz,Anselmo Arosemena, and Victor Rodriguez