Northern California

Pilot, Small Plane Missing in Rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains

A small-engine plane returning to the Sacramento area from Idaho is missing in a rugged area of the Sierra Nevada, and stormy weather is hampering the search for the pilot and aircraft.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's office says Cessna plane was reported missing Saturday evening, its last known position in a rugged area of the mountain range, southwest of Lake Tahoe.

Sheriff's Sgt. Tasha Thompson says ground and aircraft searches were called off Sunday because of inclement weather.

The Sierra and much of Northern California has been hit with heavy rain and gusty winds the last few days. Snow fell on mountain passes and flash flood warnings were in effect in areas burned by recent wildfires.

Thompson said crews plan to resume the search on Monday.

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