Search aircraft could be seen circling an area just south and west of Kimberley on Saturday afternoon, June 20, 2017, as the search for an aircraft that went missing on June 8 continues.

The Piper Warrior, which was piloted by Alex Simons, 21, and accompanied by Sydney Robillard, took off from Lethbridge in the morning of June 8th before landing and refuelling in Cranbrook and continuing on to Kamloops. It did not arrive in Kamloops.

Kimberley Search and Rescue Search Manager, Wendy Heatherington, confirmed on Saturday that aircraft were flying over “an area of interest” near Kimberley. Heatherington says with almost 20 aircraft involved in the search for the missing Piper Warrior, areas are being redone.

“Nothing has been sighted and areas of interest are being redone,” she said. “When you fly over areas, the trees are so tall, you can’t see anything unless you are directly over top.

“The area being searched could be on the flight path, or on the suspected flight path or there could be a witness report.”

Heatherington said she did not know if there were witness reports in this particular area, but did say that Kimberley Search and Rescue was out conducting a ground search in that area as well.

The search, which has been ongoing for the last seven days, is being headquartered out of the Kelowna Flying Club, with support from the 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron out of CFB Comox and civilian volunteers with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.