Plane with 3 aboard missing in SW Washington
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Searchers with the Washington state Aviation Division and Lewis County sheriff's office are looking for a plane that reported an engine problem in southwest Washington.
Aviation Division spokeswoman Nisha Marvel told KOMO Radio the plane dropped off radar about 7:45 a.m. Friday in mountainous terrain in the Morton-Packwood area. She says a pilot and two passengers are onboard.
FAA spokesman Allen Kinetzer said the pilot of the Cessna 340A reported losing power in one of its two engines about 10 minutes after taking off from Chehalis (shuh-HAY'-lihs) for Lewiston, Idaho. The pilot said the plane was turning back, but it did not return to Chehalis.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The plane is registered to Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute in Chehalis.
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Information from: KOMO-AM, http://www.komoradio.com/
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
CHEHALIS, Wash. (AP) — An FAA spokesman says an airplane is overdue in Washington state after losing power in one of its two engines.
Spokesman Allen Kinetzer in Seattle says the Cessna 340A took off Monday morning from Chehalis, headed for Lewiston, Idaho.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kinetzer says the pilot was 20 miles east of Chehalis when he reported he was returning because he had lost an engine.
The plane is registered to Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute in Chehalis.
KIRO-TV reports there are three people onboard, and the Washington state Aviation Division has launched a search.
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Information from: KIRO-TV, htthttp://www.kirotv.com/index.html