New technology was used to find the airplane that has been lost in the Grand Canyon for almost a month. Last week, members of Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP) Nevada Wing used technology to search for the missing plane that had previously been used only for training for combat operations overseas.
The National Park Service (NPS) and Coconino County Sherriff’s Office (CCSO) have been searching for Joseph Radford for almost one month since determining that he and his plane were last seen on Friday, March 11, at the Grand Canyon Airport located just south of Grand Canyon National Park.
CAP Nevada Wing's Surrogate Predator aircraft searched six areas in the Fossil Corridor identified as probable areas where Joseph Radford’s plane may have gone down. On Friday, the CAP crew completed their flights over the six search areas and later provided the Surrogate Predator footage to park staff for review.
The Surrogate Predator’s sensor ball, mounted underneath the wing of a CAP Cessna 182, provides high resolution imagery. The areas where CAP pilots focused their efforts were identified based on FAA radar track and cell phone signal analysis, as well as visual sightings.
This is the first time a Surrogate Predator has been used for a search mission. To date, CAP has relied upon this new technology to help train soldiers and airmen for combat operations overseas.
After today’s flight, the NPS will analyze the new imagery provided by the Surrogate Predator in a continued effort to locate the missing plane. Search activities continue on a limited basis as new evidence and information becomes available.
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