News
Still no sign of missing plane in B.C. Interior

Kamloops, B.C., Oct. 26, 2007 – The public is being asked to assist in the
search for a missing plane and its pilot in the Southern B.C. Interior.

The Cessna 172 vanished Tuesday after taking off from Revelstoke,
B.C., on a flight to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island.

Ron Boychuk, 61, was the lone occupant of the plane, a beige,
single-engined aircraft with red trim.

Authorities say sightings can be called in to the tips line at
the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria or the search
headquarters in Kamloops, B.C.

The last transmission from the Nanaimo, B.C., man was from south
of Spences Bridge, B.C.

Coast guard co-ordinator Andy Howell said Thursday that efforts
were in high gear to find the missing pilot _ with military
helicopters and planes, and civilian aircraft, retracing Boychuk's
proposed flight path.

“People are trying to keep hope,'' Howell said. “We are doing
our best to find this guy and there's a  lot of resources out
there.''

Howell said Boychuk's path would have taken him through
turbulent, heavy winds but there was no mayday call from the pilot
which might hint at something gone wrong.

He also said there was no signal from the electronic locator
transmitter in the plane but it may not have been working or damaged
if the plane crashed.

“We are looking at radar tapes and sightings called in,'' Howell
said.

Boychuk, who works in Manitoba, was on his way home to Nanaimo,
where his wife lives. (Calgary Sun)