UPDATE: Aircraft reported missing near Van Horn landed safely
Officials with the Civil Air Patrol tell Abc-7 the aircraft reported missing in the Van Horn area landed safely Saturday evening.
Moises Vasquez, with the Texas Department of Public Safety says the pilot landed safely at a private airfield in Van Horn, but failed to close his flight plan and did not report his intent to land to air traffic controllers.
The pilot did not notify air traffic controllers after he had landed forcing air traffic controllers to issue an emergency response and send search crews to the area the airplane disappeared off the radar. The pilot then notified air traffic controllers of his status and properly closed his flight plan.
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Colonel Kay Joslin Walling with the Civil Air Patrol, an attachment to the U.S Airforce tells Abc-7 a plane carrying five people went missing around 7:45 Saturday evening around the 85 miles east of the El Paso area.
According to Col. Walling, the plane took off from Hot Springs, Arkansas and was headed to Van Horn, Texas.
Officials say they are receiving a signal from an emergency beacon about 85 miles east of El Paso – which they believe may be the plane.
Civil Air Patrol is launching a search aircraft from the El Paso International Airport and they are also gathering a ground team.
If you live in the Van Horn area – and have noticed a low flying plane or any explosions officials ask that you call the El Paso Mission Base (410)-533-5664.
