Wreckage of plane carrying missing footballer Emiliano Sala found with body inside

A plane that went missing with footballer Emiliano Sala on board has been found on the seabed of the English Channel with a body inside.

One body is visible in the seabed wreckage of a plane that went missing carrying Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala and his pilot two weeks ago over the English Channel, air accident investigators said.

Britain’s Air Accident Investigation Branch did not say if the underwater camera identified Sala or pilot David Ibbotson, the only two people on board the small aircraft that disappeared from radar over the English Channel on January 21 as it flew from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff, Wales.

The rear left side of the fuselage, including part of the aircraft registration, identified as part of the wreckage from the missing Piper Malibu aircraft that disappeared two weeks ago. Picture: AAIB/AFP

Wreckage from the plane was located on the weekend after Sala’s family raised funds for a private search by American-born shipwreck-hunting specialist David Mearns because authorities called off the official search.

Emiliano Sala was aboard a small passenger plane that went missing. Picture: AP

Although the seabed search was conducted in conjunction with British air accident investigators, they have not said if they plan to raise the wreckage to the surface.

“I understand their priorities are a little bit different to the families’ (priorities), but I don’t think they can rest now,” Mr Mearns told British radio station Talk Sport.

“I just think it’s even more imperative that the plane and the body are recovered. I know that’s exactly what the Sala family want. They communicated that to me last night.”

Sala, 28, a striker who played for Nantes in the French top flight, was preparing to start a new career in the Premier League at Cardiff.

Marine Scientist David Mearn after the discovery of the wreckage of the plane that was carrying footballer Emiliano Sala. Picture: AP

“(Sala’s family is) desperate to see that the plane is recovered so they can conduct a forensic examination to discover what caused the crash, and all the more now that there is a body,” Mr Mearns said.

Romina Sala, sister of Emiliano Sala, reacts as she holds a press conference at Cardiff City Stadium, south Wales. Picture: AP

An underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveyed the seabed and confirmed an object was the missing Piper Malibu aircraft, with the registration N264DB visible in a picture of the fuselage released Monday.

“One occupant is visible amidst the wreckage,” the Air Accident Investigation Branch said in a statement.

Nantes soccer team supporters stop by a poster of Argentinian player Emiliano Sala. Picture: AP

“The AAIB is now considering the next steps, in consultation with the families of the pilot and passenger, and the police.”

Recovering the body without raising the wreckage is complex, according to Ross Taylor of A-to-Sea Solutions, whose survey ship was used in the search.

“ROVs are sometimes able to grab on to items, but whether that would happen I don’t know,” Mr Taylor said.

A giant canvas showing Sala is pictured in La Beaujoire stadium before a French soccer match. Picture: AP

“Divers can also get down to that depth but it’s a much bigger operation. In 25 meters to 30 meters of water, it would be a lot easier, but in 70 meters, it would be a much bigger operation.” Investigators plan to release an interim report into the accident this month.

FC Nantes' football team Bosnian head coach Vahid Halilhodzic gives a press conference after the plane vanished. Picture: AFP

Parts of the plane were first believed to have been discovered last week when two seat cushions were found on the French coast.