Anglesey 'plane crash': Pilot missing after aircraft disappears off Welsh coast

A pilot is missing after reports a light aircraft crashed into the water off the coast of Wales.

The Coastguard launched a search operation at around 1pm on Monday after police received reports of a crash involving a light aircraft.

A spokesman for the Coastguard said the plane was flying from Caernarfon Airport to the Great Orme in Llandudno and back on Monday afternoon.

"The aircraft had one pilot on board and no other passengers and family liaison officers are supporting the missing pilot’s family," the spokesman said.

An earlier statement said: "The search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon has been sent as well as Coastguard rescue teams from Penmon and Bangor and a Senior Coastguard Operations Officer.

"The RNLI lifeboats from Beaumaris, Moelfre and Llandudno and North Wales Police have been sent."

A police spokesman added: "We received a call at 12.59pm today reporting a possible crash involving a light aircraft in the Penmon area. Officers are currently assisting HM Coastguard and our enquiries are ongoing."

The RNLI said two lifeboats from Anglesey are assisting in the search, adding: "The volunteer crews are searching an area around Penmon and are joined by Coastguard teams from Penmon and Bangor and a Coastguard helicopter."

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch also said it had sent a team "to investigate an accident involving a light aircraft".