Coast Guard continues to search for downed plane; one body found

The  U.S. Coast Guard is assisting multiple agencies in a search for one of two people on board a Piper PA-30 aircraft reported to have crashed 5 miles northwest of Port Mansfiel this morning.

One of the bodies was found this afternoon.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Johnny Hernandez said the body of 48-year-old Robert James Robinett of Sunray was found in the water. Hernandez said the search continues for a second person on board.

A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received a call from the Federal Aviation Administration at 12:05 a.m., stating they had lost communications and radar contact with the twin-engine aircraft at approximately 10 p.m., Thursday. Following a coordinated search of local airports, the FAA reported no sign of the aircraft.

Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi launched an HU-25 Falcon jet at 1:45 a.m. to search for signs of a possible downed aircraft.

At 11 a.m., a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received a call from the Texas Department of Public Safety stating that possible wreckage was located by the Civil Air Patrol.

An HH-65C Dolphin helicopter was launched and is currently searching the area for additional wreckage and survivors.

The missing aircraft left Borger, Thursday evening enroute to Port Mansfield.

Assisting agencies include:

U.S. Air Force

Civil Air Patrol

Texas Parks and Wildlife

Department of Public Safety

The Associated Press contributed to this report.