- November 18, 2024
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Searchers suspended efforts to reach the wreckage of what they believe is missing Palm Coast pilot Raymond Miller's plane as evening fell Sunday, citing challenges from tide changes and saying they would resume their efforts at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6.
"Federal officials and recovery specialists coordinating the recovery have been on scene making preparations to remove the aircraft from the crash scene. Due to the incoming tides, the removal efforts have been hindered causing additional challenges and hazards for emergency personnel," according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release. "As the tides recede, personnel will return to the site and continue preparations for the recovery tomorrow morning. The identification and location of the pilot have not been confirmed at this time."
Searchers, including Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers responding by boat, were also unable to reach the marshy crash site near Pellicer Creek on Saturday, Oct. 4.
UPDATE: 10 A.M. OCT. 5
The Florida Highway Patrol and other agencies suspended efforts to reach the site of what they believe is the wreckage of Palm Coast pilot Rymond Miller's plane Saturday night, and said in a news release that they would resume the search at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5.
"Due to the complexity of the terrain, possible safety hazards for personnel, and limited light conditions, the difficult decision was made to temporarily suspend these actions," according to the news release. "Appropriate personnel and equipment will be in place to resume these efforts by 9:00am or earlier."
UPDATE: 4:15 P.M. OCT. 4
The following is an adapted news release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office:
Authorities have found the wreckage of what they believe may be the experimental plane missing since Palm Coast pilot Raymond Miller flew it out of the Flagler County Airport Friday morning.
The crash site, located at about 1:20 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, is in a remote area west of Interstate 95 near Pellicer Creek, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers are responding by boat. Medical units are also responding as well, as the pilot’s condition is unknown.
The scene will be turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.
PREVIOUS STORY: 11:30 A.M. OCT. 4
The following is an adapted news release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office:
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is searching for Raymond A. Miller, a 77-year-old Palm Coast pilot who was last seen at the Flagler County Airport taking off in a Northeasterly direction in an experimental plane at about 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3.
Airport officials said pilots are not required to file a flight plan from point A to point B in the type of private plane Miller was piloting.
Miller’s family told law enforcement that they spoke to the Miller at 7 p.m. Thursday, and he told them that was taking the plane out Friday to practice touch-and-go landings.
The furthest Miller has flown the plane in the past is about 15 miles. He has no known health issues.
The plane is described as an unpainted aluminum Sonex–Waiex experimental-type aircraft with "461MM" on the tail section. It has a range of about 200 miles when fully fueled.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler County Emergency Management, the County’s Fire Flight, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Air-One, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force Search & Rescue have all joined forces in the search for the missing plane and its pilot.

Anyone who may have seen the plane overhead on Friday is urged to call the Flagler County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 386-313-4911.
