Union County calls off search for possible downed plane

Authorities in southwest Iowa have called off the hunt for a possible missing airplane. Union County Sheriff Rick Piel says they conducted an exhaustive search last night and this morning — and found nothing. A Creston airport official did a search from the air of the entire area, had a good view of the open fields and saw nothing, while search teams on the ground also came up empty. At least three witnesses reported hearing a low-flying aircraft about 8:30 last night southeast of Creston. Sheriff Piel says they’re to the point where they’ve decided to abandon the search until something is reported. He says it was challenging for the search teams, tromping through muddy, rain-soaked fields. He says the mud last night was anywhere from ankle-deep to over the boots. Crews were out last night using a four-wheeler, two thermal imaging cameras and several walkers. That search was suspended at 11 P.M. and resumed early this morning.