French police sources said that Emiliano Sala, a Cardiff City English football team player, was aboard a light plane that disappeared from the radar screens over the English Channel late Monday.
The British and French Coast guard strafed the water off the island of Guernsey on Tuesday for a one-engine plane after it disappeared on its way from Nantes in western France to Cardiff in Wales.
The 28-year-old Argentine striker joined Cardiff City's struggling club in the English Premier League from the Nantes French team last week in a record deal worth about 17 million euros (19.32 million dollars). He has been playing in France since 2012.
The Air control center reported to local authorities at 8:23 GMT on the disappearance of an aircraft with two people aboard.
Lifeboats and helicopters were dispatched but the search was halted four hours later due to inclement weather.
The search teams resumed work on Tuesday morning.
"For the time being, no trace of the missing aircraft has been found," the Genesee police said
11.45am update— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) ٢٢ يناير ٢٠١٩
So far over 1,000sq miles have been searched by a total of five aircraft and two lifeboats. It is being co-ordinated by the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre.
There has been no trace of the aircraft.
The search is continuing.
Officials in Nantes and Cardiff City did not comment.
The Argentine embassy in London is still waiting for information on the missing flight after hearing the French civil aviation authorities ' claim that Sala was on board the flight, according to the Associated Press Rob Harris.
Latest from Guernsey police on search for plane with Cardiff signing Emiliano Sala on board: "There are currently two helicopters, two planes and one lifeboat searching." https://t.co/ELJJB7BHRx— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) ٢٢ يناير ٢٠١٩
What kind of plane is Piper Malibu?
The plane that disappeared above the English Channel is the type of aircraft built by American manufacturer Piper aircraft.
Piper PA-46 owns Malibu capacity on one pilot and five passengers, according to the space technology site.
The specialist location of PA-46 describes it as a "light sports aircraft ", and says the first PA-46 flight took place in November 1979, with the aircraft entering service in 1982.
The Piper PA-46 engine is powered by the Continental Tsio-520-be turbocharged engine, a fuel injector and a horizontal inhibitor that results in a output capacity of 231 kw.
The aircraft is said to have four types, including PA-46-310P Malibu, PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage, PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian and PA-46R-350T Matrix.
The PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage is an advanced version of Malibu, 46-310P Malibu, says Aerospace Technology.
The site says the aircraft can operate on short or unpaved runways, even in the worst weather conditions.
Piper Aircraft is the only public airline that offers a full range of planes, said the site.
"From the reliable coaches and the promise of a high-performance turbocharger, from the avant-garde pilot to the seasoned pilot – Piper creates the freedom of flight for all ", says the company.
William T. Piper founded Piper Aircraft Company in 1937.
"When Piper introduced Piper Cobb in 1937, he had a dream. He felt that everyone should fly. It is believed that Piper can provide all this freedom. 130,000 planes later, this dream lives on, "says Piper's website.
Sala scored 12 goals in 19 games with Nantes in the French first-class league this season before moving to Cardiff this week.
