Israel, Cyprus join search for missing plane

Twin-engine aircraft was en route to Beirut when it dropped off the radar

By AP 23 October 2014, 2:08 am

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Unit 669 simulates a rescue operation, January, 2010 (Ofer Zidon/Flash90)

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus and Israel have launched a joint search operation for a small plane that was reported missing Wednesday by Lebanese authorities while en route to Beirut, officials said.

The plane disappeared on Wednesday evening after taking off from the airport in the city of Paphos, on Cyprus’ western coast. Cyprus’ Civil Aviation Department said the plane was a twin-engine Diamond DA42.

Two people were aboard the plane when it disappeared over the Mediterranean Sea, around 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Larnaca, a city on Cyprus’ southern coast.

Lebanese airport officials earlier said that a Lebanese and a Cypriot were aboard when the plane dropped off the Lebanese radar screens. The officials at the Beirut International Airport spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to give statements to media.

They said Lebanese teams were searching for the plane in Lebanese waters.