Search narrows for missing Petaluma-bound plane

The search for a missing Petaluma-bound plane intensified Wednesday, with ground and air crews focusing on a mountainous region 18 miles northwest of where the flight originated in Truckee, a Civil Air Patrol spokeswoman said.

Radar analysis and cellphone forensics suggest the Socata TB-20 Trinidad carrying two people may be in that area, Lt. Col. Crystal Housman said.

The plane, registered to William H. Sherlock of Santa Rosa, took off 4 p.m. Monday from the Truckee-Tahoe Airport and was expected to land at the Petaluma Municipal Airport that night.

A search began after family members reported it had not arrived. A Civil Air Patrol single-engine Cessna and a California Highway Patrol helicopter assisted Tuesday along with ground crews. Inclement weather hampered early morning flight.

Efforts were continuing Wednesday. Housman said she was receiving an update at 8 a.m.

The four-seat low-wing aircraft is blue with white with gold trim and is equipped with an emergency locater transmitter, officials said.

Check back later for more details.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.