BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah, Dec. 31, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A search for an aircraft missing since Friday afternoon has widened to the Great Salt Lake Sunday, according to a news release from the Box Elder County Sheriff.
A Department of Parks and Recreation boat has joined the search, patrolling the Great Salt Lake to assist with the search for a red and white Cessna 172, No. N4395R.
The plane’s two occupants are pilot Denny Mansell, 71, and his passenger, Peter Ellis, 74.
Family members said the men left Ogden-Hinckley Airport at about 3:30 p.m. Friday, planning to fly to the Promontory area and view the trains at Golden Spike Historic Site from the air. They expected to return to Ogden by about 4:30 p.m.
The news release states that Box Elder Communications was contacted at about 9:20 p.m. Friday with a report of the overdue plane. A check of local airports was requested.
Deputies on the ground and the Department of Public Safety helicopter searched through Friday night and early Saturday morning, concentrating in the Promontory area of Box Elder County.
“Search and Rescue teams started at first light on Saturday and later supported by Civil Air Patrol and DPS. Volunteers began an early air search Saturday and were active until Civil Air Patrol restricted the air space,” the release continues.
Search efforts were suspended at dark Saturday, but search and rescue crews continued patrolling on the ground Sunday, while DPS and Civil Air Patrol searched from the air.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available. 
