The body seen in the wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and
pilot David Ibbotson has been recovered but it remains unclear whether
the body is that of Sala or Mr Ibbotson.
A full examination by a coroner in Portland, Dorset, is due to take place to establish whose body it is.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said on Wednesday night:
Following extensive visual examination of the accident site using the
remotely operated vehicle (ROV), it was decided to attempt recovery
operations.In challenging conditions, the AAIB and its specialist contractors
successfully recovered the body previously seen amidst the wreckage. The
operation was carried out in as dignified a way as possible and the
families were kept informed of progress.
As for the Piper Malibu aircraft. officials said they will not be
bringing the entire wreckage to the surface. It remains more than 200
feet below water and is 21 miles off the coast of Guernsey in the
English Channel as poor weather conditions stopped efforts to recover
it. The search operation has now ceased.
Pilot David Ibbotson and his wife
The statement from AAIB continued:
Unfortunately, attempts to recover the aircraft wreckage were
unsuccessful before poor weather conditions forced us to return the ROV
to the ship.The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the
difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close.
The body is currently being taken to Portland to be passed into the care
of the Dorset Coroner.