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Missing plane search called off Missing plane search called off
(10 minutes later)
A search-and-rescue operation for an aircraft that went missing on its way to Kent has been called off.A search-and-rescue operation for an aircraft that went missing on its way to Kent has been called off.
The missing civilian two-seater plane set off from Cambridge on Wednesday morning on the 100-mile trip to Lydd Airport, near Romney Marsh.The missing civilian two-seater plane set off from Cambridge on Wednesday morning on the 100-mile trip to Lydd Airport, near Romney Marsh.
The aircraft was last heard from near the mouth of the River Medway at Sheerness at about 1100 BST.The aircraft was last heard from near the mouth of the River Medway at Sheerness at about 1100 BST.
A coastguard helicopter and an RAF Sea King helicopter from Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, were scrambled.A coastguard helicopter and an RAF Sea King helicopter from Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, were scrambled.
The lost aircraft was said to be a VariEze, fixed wing, homebuilt aircraft. The aircraft was said to be a VariEze, fixed wing, homebuilt aircraft.
'Waiting game''Waiting game'
The RAF Air Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) said on Wednesday evening that the area had been searched and the operation had been called off.The RAF Air Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) said on Wednesday evening that the area had been searched and the operation had been called off.
Dover Coastguard said there had been no further sightings of the missing plane.Dover Coastguard said there had been no further sightings of the missing plane.
A spokesman for Dover Coastguard said: "What happens next is up to the ARCC.A spokesman for Dover Coastguard said: "What happens next is up to the ARCC.
"The aircraft may have come down in a small field somewhere and they could be on their way to a telephone.""The aircraft may have come down in a small field somewhere and they could be on their way to a telephone."
He added: "Visibility has been excellent all day. No-one has said anything to suggest that anything might have come down. There has been no distress message from the aircraft. So we are in a waiting game."He added: "Visibility has been excellent all day. No-one has said anything to suggest that anything might have come down. There has been no distress message from the aircraft. So we are in a waiting game."
'Aircraft overdue''Aircraft overdue'
The search operation covered the entire Kent coast, the Isle of Grain and the Isle of Sheppey.The search operation covered the entire Kent coast, the Isle of Grain and the Isle of Sheppey.
A "straight line" search was also carried out between Sheerness and Lydd Airport.A "straight line" search was also carried out between Sheerness and Lydd Airport.
Earlier, coastguards said the light aircraft, which was bound from Cambridge to Lydd, was overdue.Earlier, coastguards said the light aircraft, which was bound from Cambridge to Lydd, was overdue.
They said the plane was heading from Cambridge to Lydd and was last heard from through its GPS navigational equipment at midday, just north of Sheppey.They said the plane was heading from Cambridge to Lydd and was last heard from through its GPS navigational equipment at midday, just north of Sheppey.
The ARCC at RAF Kinloss was co-ordinating the search and coastguards had assisted with their fixed winged aircraft from Manston.The ARCC at RAF Kinloss was co-ordinating the search and coastguards had assisted with their fixed winged aircraft from Manston.
Rescuers said it was unclear whether one or two people were on board.Rescuers said it was unclear whether one or two people were on board.
Kent and Essex police forces have also carried out a land search for the aircraft.Kent and Essex police forces have also carried out a land search for the aircraft.