ELKO, Nev., Jan. 22, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials believe an aerial image taken in the Ruby Mountains may show the location of the wreckage of a plane missing since Jan. 11.
The pilot of that plane was 26-year-old Paul R. Graham, a Branson, Miss., man who was flying from California to Salt Lake City. He was reportedly the only person on the plane.
The Elko County Sheriff’s Office reported the possible discovery late last week.
“Assistance provided by the pilot’s employer Air America/Eagle View, has led investigators to believe the airplane reported missing the night of January 11, 2018 has possibly been located near Pearl Peak in the Ruby Mountains,” the ECSO statement says.
“Although this possible sighting of the aircraft looks promising, Undersheriff Ron Supp warns this information is thus far preliminary and it will be some time before investigators will be able to access the location due to terrain and weather.”
Photographs appear to reveal wreckage of an aircraft resembling that of the missing Piper aircraft with tail number N54857. It was reported to be piloted by Graham.
“The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the pilot’s family for their patience and understanding during a very trying time,” the statement says.
The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank Air America/Eagle View, Nevada Division of Emergency Management, the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Military agencies, the Elko County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers and Utah Air Resources (a volunteer air search and rescue organization) as well as other volunteers and Government agencies providing assistance.”
