NAS plane crashes, one pilot missing

NEW ORLEANS, La. (WALA) - Sunday, January 24:

The U.S. Coast Guard continues the search for a U.S. Navy pilot after the airplane he and one other pilot were aboard crash landed in Lake Pontchartrain late Saturday.

Watchstanders at the Eighth Coast Guard District Command Center received a call at approximately 6:40 p.m. Saturday, from the Air Traffic Control at the Lake Front Airport stating that a U.S. Navy T-34 training plane was no longer visible on radar. The Coast Guard launched two small boats and crews from Coast Guard Station New Orleans and an MH-65C rescue helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

The Coast Guard is currently searching a 5-by-7-mile area, with the center of the search approximately 1 mile north of Lakefront Airport. Initial reports were that both pilots were clinging to the aircraft before it sank. Coast Guard crews have searched through the night.

Also searching are two small boats and crews from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were: air temperature 50 degrees Fahrenheit, water temperature 52 degrees Fahrenheit and the winds were calm.

Saturday, January 23:

A T-34C Turbomentor went down in Lake Pontchartrain at approximately 7:00 p.m. this evening. There were two pilots aboard the aircraft assigned to Training Air Wing Five based out of Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla.

The Coast Guard has recovered one of the pilots, who suffered minor injuries, and is currently conducting a search for the second pilot.

The aircraft was conducting a routine cross-country training mission.

An investigation has convened to investigate the cause of the mishap.