A wrecked plane, containing human remains, found near Shetland has been confirmed as a missing German aircraft. The debris of the aircraft, identified as a German registered Cessna 172, was discovered in the North Sea, close to Lerwick in Shetland, on December 6. The plane had been reported missing in September the previous year. The aircraft’s disappearance was initially reported to HM Coastguard by the Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU) of Germany after it went missing between Shetland and Norway. After taking off from Germany with one person on board, the plane lost contact over the North Sea on September 30, 2023.
A fishing vessel from Peterhead reportedly discovered a part of the aircraft’s undercarriage on Friday. The investigation into the full circumstances of this grim discovery is still ongoing. Footage circulating on social media showed the wreckage being retrieved from the water with the presence of police. A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) stated that the remains of the Cessna 172 were recovered by a fishing vessel on December 6 and brought to shore in Shetland on Sunday. The AAIB is collaborating with Police Scotland and BFU to support the safety investigation.
According to a spokesperson for Police Scotland, they received a report of a small aircraft being retrieved from the water in the North Sea, northeast of Lerwick, on December 6. The aircraft was brought ashore on December 8, where human remains were found inside. Investigations are still ongoing to uncover more details about this tragic incident.
In summary, the discovery of the wrecked German aircraft near Shetland, confirmed to be the missing Cessna 172, has brought closure to the mystery surrounding its disappearance in September 2023. The recovery of human remains onboard has added a somber note to the investigation, with efforts ongoing to understand the circumstances of this unfortunate event.