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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Crews search for overdue small, private plane

BELLINGHAM – Crews are searching for a small, private plane that didn’t reach its destination in Lynden, Washington, on Saturday, the state Department of Transportation said.

The plane carrying three people, including the pilot, left western Montana about 4 p.m. Saturday and was due in Lynden around 7 p.m. Those on the plane were identified by the Department of Transportation as Leland Bowman, 62, and Sharon Bowman, 63, both of Marion, Montana, and their step-granddaughter Autumn Veatch, 16, of Bellingham.

Family members notified authorities when the plane did not arrive.

The last phone signal from one of the plane’s occupants was detected around 11 p.m. in an area near Omak, Washington. State officials said the search is centered south of Mount Maker.

The plane is described as a white and red Beechcraft 35 Bonanza.

Volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol and Washington Air Search and Rescue are assisting Department of Transportation Aviation Emergency Services with the search.