Pilot of missing plane carrying Cardiff footballer named as Dave Ibbotson

Dave Ibbotson and Emiliano Sala have been missing since Monday as the police turn the rescue operation into a recovery mission.

Dave Ibbotson
Image:Dave Ibbotson piloted the plan which went missing over the English Channel
The private pilot flying the plane which has gone missing with footballer Emiliano Sala on board has been named as Dave Ibbotson.
Mr Ibbotson has been missing since the plane disappeared from radar over the English Channel on Monday night.
He was from Crowle, near Scunthorpe. A "visibly upset" woman declined to comment near the home according to The Grimsby Telegraph.
He has been associated with skydiving company Target Skysports, based in Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire.
A spokesman for the business referred inquiries to the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch when contacted by Press Association.
The Channel Islands Air Search has confirmed the search has moved from a rescue to a recovery operation.
Emiliano Sala
Image:Emiliano Sala
Guernsey Police said it had searched 280 square miles using multiple aircraft over five hours on Wednesday, but there was "as yet no trace" of the missing plane.
"The search is ongoing and a decision whether to continue will be taken later today," a spokesman for the force said.
Guernsey Police had earlier said it was looking at four possibilities for the fate of the plane - including that it landed on water, with Sala and the pilot making it onto a life raft known to be on board.
The other possibilities being explored included that the plane had landed elsewhere but had not made contact, that Sala and the pilot landed on water and were picked up by a passing ship, or that the plane broke up on contact with the water - leaving them in the sea.
Flowers and scarves have been left outside Cardiff City's stadium
Image:Flowers and scarves have been left outside Cardiff City's stadium
Rescuers have also reviewed satellite images and mobile phone data in the hope of finding the pair.
Police had previously warned that the chances of Sala and the pilot surviving were "slim" if the aircraft landed on water.
John Fitzgerald, chief officer of Channel Islands Air Search, said: "I can't see how anybody could survive in such temperatures for that length of time.
"Looking at the sea conditions today it's very rough out there, there's a good strong wind blowing, with sea conditions [that] are pretty horrendous."
Emiliano Sala
Image:Emiliano Sala
The footballer reportedly voiced fears about the safety of the missing plane in a WhatsApp audio message he sent to friends while on board.
In the message, a voice - reported to be Sala's - is heard saying: "I am here in the plane that seems is about to fall to pieces."
He later adds: "I'm scared."
Addressing the media in his home country of Argentina, the footballer's father said he was "beginning to think the worst".
Emiliano Sala was Cardiff's new record signing.
Image:Emiliano Sala was Cardiff's new record signing.
Horacio Sala said: "The hours pass and I am just beginning to think the worst.
"We were in touch on Sunday. He was so happy that he was going there, to an even bigger club."
Concerns were raised when the 28-year-old failed to respond to messages on social media after reports he had been travelling to the UK on Monday.
Gathered in Nantes’ Place Royale, fans waved banners, lit flares, and chanted Sala’s name.
Vigil in France for missing footballer
Gathered in Nantes’ Place Royale, fans waved banners, lit flares, and chanted Sala’s name.
Gathered in Nantes’ Place Royale, fans waved banners, lit flares, and chanted Sala’s name.
The Argentinian forward, who had played in France since 2012, made Cardiff City history when he was bought for a record fee of £15m on a three-and-a-half year deal from Nantes at the weekend.
The search for the missing aircraft was suspended overnight on Tuesday, with rescue teams finding "no signs" of the plane.
Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman confirmed the club had not booked the aircraft for the trip and Sala had "made his own arrangements".
The PA-46 Malibu, a single turbine engine aircraft, left Nantes for Cardiff at 7.15pm on Monday and after requesting to descend, it lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.
The AAIB said the plane's registration number was N264DB and it is investigating the loss of the plane, working with authorities in Argentina, France and the US.
The plane's registered owner is Suffolk-based Southern Aircraft Consultancy (SAC) according to the US Federal Aviation Administration.
An SAC spokesman said: "We learnt of the missing aircraft yesterday and are deeply concerned for those who are missing. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time."
Nantes' next Coupe de France match was postponed following Sala's disappearance and fans gathered in the city's Place Royale on Tuesday night to sing songs and lay tributes.
Cardiff's next match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, 29 January is expected to go ahead as planned.

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