Crews searching for small plane overdue to Lynden

UPDATE: The people onboard the overdue plan have been identified by family as: Leland (62) and Sharon Bowman (63), both of Marion, Montana, and their step-granddaughter Autumn Veach, 16, of Bellingham, Washington. Initial information had suggested Veach also lived in Montana. The plane still has not been located and the search continues.

Crews are searching for a small, private plane that never reached its planned destination Saturday, July 11.

The plane, with three occupants including the owner/pilot, left western Montana about 4 p.m. Saturday and was due in Lynden at 7 p.m. Pacific Standard time. The plane did not arrive and family members notified authorities. All three occupants are family members. Their names are not being released at this time.

The last cell phone signal from one of the plane’s occupants was detected at about 11 p.m. in an area near Omak. The search is centering south of Mount Baker, along the intended flight plan. The plane is described as a white and red Beech 35 aircraft.

Volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol and Washington Air Search and Rescue are assisting WSDOT Aviation Emergency Services with the search. An incident command has been set up in Bellingham, near the airport.

The search is still in its initial stages. More information will be provided as it becomes available.