Specialist underwater team searching for missing pilot and light aircraft

A specialist underwater team has been been brought in to search for a missing pilot and light aircraft reported to have crashed off the coast of Anglesey.

79-year-old Professor David Last, described as an experienced pilot, went missing as he was flying from Caernarfon Airport to the Great Orme in Llandudno on Monday.

The flight path shows the plane taking off from Caernarfon Airport. Credit: flightradar24

The light aircraft had no other passengers when it disappeared from radar in the area of Puffin Island near Anglesey at around 12.47pm.

Professor Last’s family have issued the following statement: “Professor David Last was a Consultant Engineer and Expert Witness specialising in Radio Navigation and Communications Systems.

He was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Bangor, Past-President of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a respected figure in the world-wide navigation community.

He was an experienced, instrument-rated pilot. Most importantly to us, he was head of the family: a much loved father, husband, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend, and we are all heartbroken. We would appreciate respect for our privacy during this difficult time.”

Specialist officers from the North Wales Police's Underwater Search Team are currently carrying out a detailed search of the area.

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