Missing plane search called off for the night as pilot named as Dave Ibbotson

Dave Ibbotson and Emiliano Sala have been missing since Monday as the police turn the rescue operation into a recovery mission.

The private pilot flying the plane which has gone missing with Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala on board has been named as David Ibbotson.

Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, near Scunthorpe, has been missing with the newly signed footballer since the plane disappeared from radar over the English Channel on Monday night.

A spokesman for Humberside Police, said: "We can confirm that North Lincolnshire man David Ibbotson is believed to be the pilot of the light aircraft that went missing near Guernsey on Monday 21 January.

"Specially trained officers are supporting Mr Ibbotson's family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time."

A "visibly upset" woman declined to comment near Mr Ibbotson's home, according to The Grimsby Telegraph.

He has been associated with skydiving company Target Skysports, based in Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire.

The pilot was flying Sala from Nantes in western France to Cardiff, where he was signed for a reported record £15m on Saturday, when the plane went missing.