4:30PM Update on Recovery Operations from Aitheras Aviation Group

CLEVELAND, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The following information provides an overview of activities and progress in organizing the recovery efforts for the Beechcraft Baron 58 and the body of the pilot which went down in Lake Erie on Wednesday evening, January 16th.

    -- The dive and salvage recovery team members arrived at the recovery site

       at approximately 2:30 p.m.

    -- After securing the vessel in choppy waters, the first diver entered the

       water at approximately 3 p.m. A second diver entered the water around
       3:30 p.m.

    -- At approximately 3:50 PM, the body of the pilot, Thomas Fijalkovich,
       was recovered from the water. The boat is returning to shore and the
       county coroner has been notified.

    Previously released information:

    2:30 PM Update:

    -- The dive and salvage recovery team members are attempting to recover
       the plane and the body of the pilot this afternoon. They arrived at the

       site in Lake Erie, approximately one-third mile off shore, at
       approximately 2:00PM.

    -- The dive and salvage team is assessing the situation to determine their

       next steps.

    -- The next update is anticipated around 4:00PM.

    11:30 AM Update:

    -- A recovery team has been assembled, consisting of a salvage company and

       commercial divers, to coordinate the raising and towing of the plane to

       shore. This team is working closely with representatives from Burke
       Lakefront Airport and the appropriate federal agencies (the Federal
       Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board)
       to ensure that proper protocols are followed throughout the process.

    -- The team will be assessing a variety of factors -- including weather
       conditions and the safety of the recovery team -- and determining the
       earliest possible time when the recovery efforts can be commenced in
       the lake. That decision has not yet been made, but it is expected
       shortly.

    -- Once the plane has been brought to shore, it will be moved to a secure
       location on Burke Lakefront Airport property so that investigators can
       conduct their work to determine the cause of the accident.