Lifeboat crews were scrambled in the early hours after an emergency aircraft signal set off a huge search off the UK’s south coast.
RNLI Dungeness Racing to the Scene
Volunteers from the RNLI at Dungeness Lifeboat Station were paged at 2:08am on Saturday, March 14, after reports that an aircraft had sent out a distress squawk.
The lifeboat launched just 22 minutes later, speeding to the plane’s last known position.
Four-Hour Hunt Yields No Clues
Crews carried out two thorough search patterns at sea, while an HM Coastguard helicopter combed the skies above.
Despite a relentless four-hour search, nothing was found. The Coastguard stood the lifeboat down shortly before 7am, sending it back to base.
Cause of Alert Still Unknown
Officials have yet to confirm what triggered the aircraft’s emergency signal. The mystery remains as the investigation continues.
