Sala family search the waters near Burhou off Alderney for missing footballer and pilot
The family of footballer Emiliano Sala have been out in the waters near Burhou off Alderney today.
They went out by boat with Alderney harbour staff, continuing their search effort for the missing plane that was carrying the player, and Lincolnshire pilot Dave Ibbotson.
Ibbotsen, from Crowle, near Scunthorpe, was flying the Argentinian striker from France to Wales when the light aircraft vanished last Monday.
The official search to find the The Piper PA-46 Malibu in which Sala and Ibbotson were travelling was called off on Thursday.
More than a week on, Sala's family have now taken up the reigns of the search for the missing pair.
Romina Sala said that she feels her 28-year-old brother, who had just signed for Cardiff City, and his pilot are still alive - as she called on rescuers not to give up hope.
A crowdfunding page that was set up has received over €340,000 in donations for the private search, beating its target.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has opened a probe and their investigations will include whether the pilot had the correct licence.
Ibbotson, 59, of Crowle, Lincolnshire, held a private pilot’s licence and passed a medical exam as recently as November, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
The Civil Aviation Authority said the light aircraft was registered in the US, so fell under American regulations.
US law states private pilots cannot make a profit by carrying passengers.
The flight left Nantes in France for Cardiff at 7.15pm on Monday, and after requesting to descend, lost contact with Jersey air traffic control over the English Channel.
It has emerged that football agent Willie McKay arranged for the flight to take Sala to Cardiff but he said he had no involvement in selecting the plane or pilot.
Tributes are due to take place tonight at Cardiff City's match against Arsenal.
The Welsh club had signed Emiliano Sala just days before his disappearance.