Investigators to check licence of pilot missing with Premier League footballer

The search for the Piper PA-46 Malibu carrying the Argentinian and pilot Dave Ibbotson was formally called off on Thursday.

Romina Sala said that she feels her 28-year-old brother, who had just signed for Cardiff City, and his pilot are still alive as she called on rescuers not to give up hope.

Guernsey’s harbour master Captain David Barker earlier confirmed the “difficult” decision to end the search, saying the chances of survival were “extremely remote”.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has opened a probe since the light aircraft disappeared from Radar on Monday night.

“We are looking at all operational aspects of the flight including licensing,” an AAIB spokesman said.

Mr Ibbotson, 59, of Crowle, Lincolnshire, held a private pilot’s licence and passed a medical exam as recently as November, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the aircraft was registered in the US, so fell under the States’ regulations.

US law states private pilots cannot make a profit by carrying passengers.

The flight left Nantes for Cardiff at 7.15pm on Monday, and after requesting to descend, lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.

Cardiff City signed Sala for a club record £15 million to bolster their attack and was due to start training on Tuesday.

Mr Barker acknowledged Sala’s family were “not content” with the decision to stop actively searching but said he was “absolutely confident” no more could have been done.

He insisted UK coastguard protocols were followed and said he hoped the families of the missing pair found some comfort in the incident remaining open, despite searches ceasing.

Mr Barker said the plane was last known to be near Hurd’s Deep, a underwater valley north-west of the Channel Islands, which could make recovery of a wreckage very difficult.

Sala’s WhatsApp recordings sent from the aircraft may be used in investigation into the events and the weather may have player a role in the crash, Mr Barker added.

Cardiff City’s owner Vincent Tan said: “Monday evening’s news shook everyone at Cardiff City FC to the core.

“The response from the football community has been truly touching and we place on record our sincere thanks to those who have sent messages of support. We also thank everyone involved with the search and rescue operation, and continue to pray for Emiliano, David Ibbotson and their families.”

His former club Nantes, along with many of its players, backed Ms Sala’s calls for the search to resume, saying: “FC Nantes learned searches for the missing plane have been called off. These can not stop.

“The Club and its supporters are demanding that the search for @ EmilianoSala1 continue, for his family and his family. Together, for Emi!”

Rescue teams have scanned around 1,700 square miles and examined mobile phone data and satellite imagery but found no trace of the aircraft.

Three planes and five helicopters racked up 80 hours combined flying time looking for the plane, working alongside two lifeboats and other passing ships.

Lifeboat volunteers “gave their utmost” in “challenging conditions” during the three-day search, the RNLI said.

Channel Island rescue workers faced “rough seas, heavy hail showers and squalls” on shifts lasting 10 hours or more.

Deputy Second Coxswain Mark Gaudion said there was always “an overwhelming desire to have a positive outcome” among rescue workers.

He said every search was “treated equally, with compassion and determination to locate those missing”.