Authorities search for overdue plane in Washington

BELLINGHAM — Crews are searching for a small, private plane that didn’t reach its destination Saturday in Lynden, Washington, north of Bellingham, the Washington State Department of Transportation said. The plane carrying three people, including the pilot, left western Montana about 4 p.m. Saturday and was due in Lynden around 7 p.m. Those on the plane were identified by the Department of Transportation as Leland Bowman, 62, and Sharon Bowman, 63, both of Marion, Montana, and their step-granddaughter Autumn Veatch, 16, of Bellingham, Washington. The plane did not arrive, and family members notified authorities. All three occupants are family members. The last phone signal from one of the plane’s occupants was detected around 11 p.m. in an area near Omak, Washington. State officials say the search is centered south of Mount Baker. The plane is described as a white and red Beech 35 aircraft. Volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol and Washington Air Search and Rescue are assisting Department of Transportation Aviation Emergency Services with the search.