SEATTLE -- A two-seat trainer jet vanished from radar Tuesday after taking
off from Boeing Field.
The L-39 took off shortly before noon, and around 11:58 a.m., the pilot
reported to a Seattle Center air traffic controller that the plane was
having control problems. The aircraft then disappeared from radar after
crossing the Cascade Range.
Two people were onboard the plane, which was headed to Lewiston, Idaho.
Their names were not immediately released.
Several agencies are assisting in the air and ground searches.

Dear, dear. From today's paper...

Two men in a Czechoslovakian fighter-trainer jet disappeared minutes after
taking off from Boeing Field yesterday, prompting rescue teams to scour the
area between Seattle and their destination in Lewiston, Idaho.

A search for the single-engine L-39 registered to Rocky Stewart of Hollister,
Calif., was launched by the aviation emergency services division of the state
Department of Transportation.

That effort, based at Bowers Field in Ellensburg, was suspended at nightfall,
spokeswoman Nisha Hanchinamani said.

The two men left Boeing Field shortly before noon, and by 11:58 a.m. had
radioed a Seattle air traffic controller to say they were experiencing control
problems. The plane later disappeared from radar, said Tom Peterson, WSDOT
Aviation Emergency Services Coordinator.

Most people who have flown into Hollister Airport (CA) have probably seen
this plane - it has in a USAF Thunderbirds style paint scheme.

- Ray



"StellaStar" > wrote in message
...
> Dear, dear. From today's paper...
>
> Two men in a Czechoslovakian fighter-trainer jet disappeared minutes after
> taking off from Boeing Field yesterday, prompting rescue teams to scour
the
> area between Seattle and their destination in Lewiston, Idaho.
>
> A search for the single-engine L-39 registered to Rocky Stewart of
Hollister,
> Calif., was launched by the aviation emergency services division of the
state
> Department of Transportation.
>
> That effort, based at Bowers Field in Ellensburg, was suspended at
nightfall,
> spokeswoman Nisha Hanchinamani said.
>
> The two men left Boeing Field shortly before noon, and by 11:58 a.m. had
> radioed a Seattle air traffic controller to say they were experiencing
control
> problems. The plane later disappeared from radar, said Tom Peterson, WSDOT
> Aviation Emergency Services Coordinator.
>