Airplane Missing in Idaho Mountains

MCCALL, Idaho (AP) — Three people are aboard an aircraft that went missing in remote central Idaho. Search efforts for the Cessna 206 single-engine airplane that vanished Wednesday morning after taking off from McCall are being hampered by poor weather and high-mountain snow.

Idaho Army National Guard helicopters are focusing on an area east of Donnelly, based on the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter signal. The rugged area isn't accessible by vehicles on the ground. The Idaho Transportation Department says a pilot and two passengers were aboard the six-seat aircraft when it took off bound for the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

The area, which is dotted with backcountry landing strips, is known for its high mountains, deep valleys and rugged territory. Weather forecasters were calling for sub-freezing temperatures and snow.