A missing plane that was believed to have crashed near Mount Jefferson in Nevada has finally been found – but the pilot’s remains are yet to be located.
Michael Martin, 65, was the pilot on board the 1968 Piper PA-28-300 aircraft, which disappeared from the sky on January 2. On January 18, over two weeks later, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office announced they located the damaged plane.
Authorities believe there is no chance of survival for Martin, but rescue efforts are ongoing as they attempt to find his body.
Cathy Martin, his wife of 40 years, told The Las Vegas Review-Journal that she and her husband had a ‘little tiff’ the day before he jetted off and vanished.
‘We had a little tiff Wednesday night, but it wasn’t a huge one,’ she said. ‘I just asked him a question and we discussed it and it was done. He wasn’t upset.’
The sheriff’s office posted the announcement that the aircraft was found to Facebook before notifying the distraught family – who have been frantically searching for their missing loved one.
‘I am heartbroken to report that the Nye County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that my father-in-law Michael Martin’s plane has been found in what they are calling an un-survivable crash near Mt. Jefferson,’ Kathleen Martin, Martin’s daughter-in-law, wrote on Facebook.
The licensed pilot departed in his personal airplane from North Las Vegas on January 2 but did not tell anyone, according to KSNV.
Michael Martin, 65, an experienced licensed pilot, took flight on January 2, and never returned. His family reported him missing on January 5
Cathy Martin, his wife of 40 years, told The Las Vegas Review-Journal on January 17, she and her husband had a ‘little tiff’ the day before he vanished. Pictured: Cathy and Michael Martin
The licensed pilot departed in his 1968 Piper PA-28-300 airplane from North Las Vegas on January 2 but did not tell anyone. Pictured: Michael Martin’s 1968 Piper PA-28-300 airplane
Martin took off at 10:51 am, according to flight tracking data, but his flight transponder stopped transmitting at 11:15 am.
Around an hour later, at 12:06 pm, Martin’s daughter-in-law said he was traceable near Tonopah, Nevada, according to the Review-Journal.
His iPad and Apple Watch last showed Martin near Mount Jefferson – approximately 270 miles from North Las Vegas airport.
By January 5, Martin’s family had still not heard from him, prompting them to go to police and report him as a missing person.
Search and rescue efforts initially began in California, Southern Nevada, Utah and Idaho – but as the investigation continued, ‘a lot of people with good intentions had information that was not leading to the location,’ according to Nye County Director of Emergency Management Scott Lewis.
As a result, air search and rescue operations were suspended on January 16, but Lewis said that ‘people were still looking in the area,’ adding that they ‘never truly suspended all the ground [operations].’
Just two days later, a game warden discovered the downed plane using special glasses, Lewis told People.
However, he explained that the search for the missing man will be ‘difficult’ due to the ‘horrible’ terrain where it crashed.
‘The terrain is horrible and at a very high altitude on the side of a cliff face,’ he said. ‘The area covered in snow and is known for very unpredictable and high winds.’
The Emergency Management Director added that his team needed to wait for helicopters to reach the scene, which is ‘inaccessible by foot due to its elevated nature.’
The experienced pilot is pictured with his wife
Officials believe, based on photos of the crashed plane, that the experienced pilot did not survive the crash, however, Nye County Sheriff’s Office posted the devastating announcement to Facebook before notifying the distraught family
Martin took off at 10:51 am, according to flight tracking data, but his flight transponder stopped transmitting at 11:15 am. Pictured: Martin’s family shared their loved one’s flight information to Facebook
‘I am heartbroken to report that the Nye County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that my father-in-law Michael Martin’s plane has been found in what they are calling an un-survivable crash near Mt. Jefferson,’ Kathleen Martin, Martin’s daughter-in-law, wrote on Facebook
‘The public perception of simply hiking up there is completely erroneous. We’re talking about potentially a hoist situation,’ he told the outlet.
‘But to maneuver an aircraft at that altitude can be challenging, depending on the type of equipment, the airframe and the training and the skills of the potential rescuers are those that are going to make the ground. That’s what we’re dealing with right now.’
Since the 65-year-old’s vintage aircraft was located, his family has been advocating, and even pleading with the public to help in efforts to find Martin’s body.
‘Nye County is stating that it could be several weeks until they have the resources to reach this site and recover Michael,’ Kathleen wrote.
‘We are asking that everyone who reads this take a minute to call or email their state and federal representatives to ask that resources be expedited for this effort so that we can bring Michael home and lay him to rest. Please help us end the agony we have been in during this process.’
On January 21, the worried family’s ‘prayers were answered’ when Martin’s daughter, Katie Martin-Perry, received an email from a third-party claiming they could offer assistance in the recovery of her father.
Authorities have located Martin’s personal plane, however his body has not been found as search and rescue efforts are ongoing
‘Nye County is stating that it could be several weeks until they have the resources to reach this site and recover Michael,’ Kathleen wrote. Pictured: Michael Martin’s daughter-in-law, Kathleen Martin
‘An answered prayer, waiting for an update… hoping and praying he gets the green light from authorities to help in the search and rescue,’ Martin-Perry posted along with a screenshot of the promising exchange.
‘After reading about your father’s plane crash and the challenging recovery efforts, I wanted to offer my team’s assistance,’ the screenshotted email exchange reads.
‘We have a UH-60 Blackhawk and other helicopters that can be deployed to help reach the crash site. Weather permitting, we can mobilize quickly to begin planning and executing this mission.
‘With heartfelt sympathy and readiness to help, Dave Sparks,’ the message concluded.
As of January 21, rescue efforts for the downed pilot are ongoing.
