BOX ELDER COUNTY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Press Release

Date – December 30, 2017 Time – 16:30 hrs

INCIDENT - Missing/Overdue Aircraft

LOCATION – Promontory, UT

AGENCIES/OFFICERS INVOLVED – Box Elder County Sheriff, BE Search and Rescue, Utah
Department of Public Safety, Civil Air Patrol, Box Elder Communications Center, Utah Division
of Natural Resources, Weber County Scuba/Search and Rescue.

RELEASEABLE INFORMATION – UPDATE 01/07/2018

The week of 01/02/2018-01/05/2018 was spent following up on tips received and analyzing radar data
from the aircraft prior to loss of signal. Analytical assistance was obtained through experts known by
the family members of Mansell and Ellis. Next step was to analyze all the search data and tracks.
After all this analysis and combined with tips received it was determined that there was a high
probability that the aircraft was in the north arm of the Great Salt Lake. The search area was able to
be narrowed to a small section of the lake. On Friday 01/05/2018 boats from Box Elder Scuba, Weber
Scuba and Utah Division of Natural Resources began doing a grid search of the designated search
area. Instruments on the boats were utilized to scan below the water surface to look for objects the
size of the aircraft. These instruments included, but not limited to, sonar and side scan sonar. There
were constant issues involving boat motors and keeping the instruments operational due to the heavy
salt content of the Great Salt Lake.

There was no success on Friday and crews returned to resume the search of the designated area on
Saturday 01/06/2018. At about 1015 AM on Saturday an object was located that was believed to be
an airplane. Utilizing images obtained from side scan sonar convinced us that the object was
absolutely and airplane and was consistent with the size of a Cessna 172. The aircraft was resting on
the bottom of the lake in approximately 14 feet of water. There was also a sizable debris field around
the aircraft but none of those objects could be positively identified as to what they were. By this time
weather had moved in and everyone assembled at the command post to determine the next step.
The only way to confirm the aircraft and debris was to put divers in the water. The weather had
deteriorated to the point that it was unsafe to complete that on Saturday.

On Sunday 01/07/2018 crews reassembled at the command post with all necessary equipment, dive
personnel and support personnel to conduct this technical dive. Ground fog moved in and hampered
efforts to navigate to the location, along with additional equipment issues that caused delays. Due to
these multiple problems there was no time left to start, let alone complete, the dive. Due to some
severe equipment issues and weather the dive has been postponed until a time yet to be determined.
Several factors need to be considered and discussions with personnel need to take place to make
that decision. The upside to today’s efforts is that the object was unequivocally identified as an
airplane of the general size and description of our Cessna 172.

LAST UPDATE 12/31/2017

A joint meeting was held with ground and air search units and search track records were compared. It
was determined from this meeting that the search area has been covered from the air at least once
and some areas multiple times. At this time the search efforts will begin scaling back by dismissing
DPS Helicopter and Civil Air Patrol.

Ground search efforts will be scaled back but continued by Box Elder County Sheriff, Search and
Rescue and Division of Natural Resources on the lake.

The family has no desire to meet with the media at this time and is requesting privacy.

ADDITIONAL UPDATE—12/31/2017

The family has requested assistance from the media. Would you request anyone that was at the
Steam Festival at the Golden Spike Historical Site on Friday afternoon, 12/29/2017 and has any
evidence that the plane was there would be helpful, such as photographs. The plane likely was in the
area between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Please submit any photos or information to the following email
address: missingplane4395@gmail.com . If we can establish that they flew the Golden Spike Site it
will help narrow the search area. Thank you for your assistance; the family is requesting privacy at
this time.

UPDATE—UPDATE—UPDATE—12/31/2017

The search is continuing today utilizing the same resources as the past two days, meaning Search
and Rescue ground crews, air support from DPS and Civil Air Patrol and added a boat patrol from the
Department of Parks and Recreation checking the lake. There have been several tips that have come
in and all have been investigated, however no definitive leads have developed. Search efforts will
continue until nightfall.

ORIGINAL POST 12/30/2017

Box Elder County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), Civil Air
Patrol and volunteers are searching for missing/overdue aircraft.

Missing is a Cessna 172, Red and White in color, N4395R.

Plane is occupied by two; pilot Denny Mansell, 71 and passenger Peter Ellis, 74. According to family
they left Ogden Hinckley Airport about 3:30 PM on Friday with plans to fly to the Promontory area and
view the trains at the Golden Spike Historical Site from the air then return to Ogden about 4:30 PM.

Box Elder Communications was contacted about 9:20 PM advising of overdue aircraft and requesting
a check of the local airports.
A search involving Deputies on the ground and the DPS helicopter went through Friday night/early
Saturday morning concentrating in Promontory area of Box Elder County. Search and Rescue started
at first light on Saturday and was later supported by Civil Air Patrol and DPS. Volunteers began and
early air search Saturday and were active until Civil Air Patrol restricted the air space.

Search is active at this time. The search efforts will be suspended at dark and will resume again
Sunday morning.

RELEASED BY - Chief Deputy Dale Ward