Search expanded for missing plane

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The search for a missing plane with three people on board intensified Tuesday after people aboard a fishing vessel reported seeing the plane in the area where it was last heard from Friday night.

The last known coordinates of the plane were at a point about three miles offshore between Moose Point and Point Possession in Gompertz Channel north of Cook Inlet, about 10 to 15 miles southwest of Anchorage. The last contact with the four-seat, propeller-driven plane was at about 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Aboard the plane were Ralph Aiken Jr., an East Wenatchee city councilman; Rick Posusta, of Boise; and Ian Beer, of Port Orchard, Wash.

All three were experienced pilots. Two were getting training on the Aero Commander, owned by Commander Northwest of East Wenatchee, Wash. The pilots did not file a flight plan.

The three were working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identifying birds.