Emiliano Sala: AAIB attempting to recover body from plane wreckage on seabed

The Piper Malibu N264DB aircraft carrying the 28-year-old Sala and Ibbotson, 59, went missing on 21 January after leaving Nantes in France for Cardiff

Authorities are attempting to recover the body found in the wreckage of the plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot Dave Ibbotson from the seabed of the English Channel.

The Piper Malibu N264DB aircraft carrying the 28-year-old Sala and Ibbotson, 59, went missing on 21 January after leaving Nantes in France for Cardiff, the home of the Argentinian striker’s club Cardiff City.

The wreckage was discovered on Sunday, around 67m deep, between Guernsey and the Devon coast, and authorities confirmed that a body was visible in the wreck.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) are now attempting to recover the body from the scene using a remotely operated vehicle.

An AAIB spokesman confirmed: ”We are attempting to recovery the body. If we are successful, we will consider the feasibility of recovering the aircraft wreckage.

“Strong tidal conditions mean we can only use the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for limited periods each day and this will mean that progress is slow.

The search vessel near the site where the wreckage was found (PA)

“Regardless of the results, we will not be making a further statement until the families have been informed.”

If and when the aircraft is lifted from the Channel, it is likely to be taken to an English port before being transferred to the AAIB’s laboratory in Farnborough, Hampshire.

The wreckage was discovered after a crowdfunding campaign raised funds for a boat equipped with the requisite sonar technology.