From a preliminary examination it has been concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft.
Emiliano Sala
British investigators said on Wednesday it was “likely” that two seat cushions that washed up on the French shore this week were from the missing plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala.
Britain’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which is probing the disappearance of the light aircraft over the Channel on January 21, said the cushions were discovered on the Normandy coastline on Monday.
“From a preliminary examination we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft,” it said in a statement.
The plane transporting Sala — who had just been transferred from French team Nantes to Premier League club Cardiff City in a 17-million-euro ($19.3-million) move — and British pilot Dave Ibbotson vanished from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the Channel island of Guernsey.
Police there suspended the official search for the aircraft last Thursday after an intensive hunt involving planes and boats failed to locate it.