Small plane crash sparks urgent search in Monongahela River

On December 6, 2024, search crews initiated a search operation in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, after a report of a potential small plane crash. The incident was prompted by a 911 call to Greene County 911 at approximately 12:45 PM, from an individual who saw a small plane go down but did not witness the crash. The absence of a mayday call and the fact that no flight plan was required added to the uncertainty surrounding the incident, leading authorities to classify the situation as a precautionary search rather than a confirmed crash. Emergency responders, including the Adah Volunteer Fire Department, conducted extensive searches of the Monongahela River, particularly near Masontown, where the sonar equipment identified a "foreign object" in the water. Fire Chief LC Otto emphasized the challenges faced by the teams, citing the extremely cold conditions during the search, with water temperatures around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite thorough efforts, no debris was found on the river surface, and officials reiterated that they have no confirmation of a plane crash at this stage. In addition to surveying the river, the search crews scoured the surrounding woods and hillsides nearby, where the plane might have potentially fallen. The search was fueled by the reported sighting of the plane, leading authorities to mobilize both ground units and aerial support from a helicopter and volunteer pilots in private aircraft. Conditions on the ground, however, were described as "miserably cold," complicating the rescue efforts and increasing risks faced by the divers who were to assist in the search starting Saturday. Search crews suspended operations late Friday but planned to resume efforts on Saturday morning, aiming to clarify the nature of the foreign object detected in the river. With divers set to join the operation, officials hoped to identify whether the object was associated with the reported plane incident or if it was simply debris that had drifted into the area independently. The mystery of the event remains as responders continue their investigations into what actually occurred in the skies above Fayette County.