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Parts of the missing plane carrying Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson have washed up on a beach in France.

The light aircraft went missing last Monday evening near the Channel Islands after departing from the French city of Nantes, due to land in Cardiff.

But it disappeared from radar after making a request to descend, and no trace of the aircraft or those on board was found.

The official search to find it ended on Thursday after no trace of the aircraft was found. Those involved in the search have since spoken to us about what it was like being inside the desperate centre of unfolding tragedy, which you can read about here .

Now, the Air Accident Investigation Branch has confirmed parts of seat cushions have washed up on a beach near Surtainville on the Cotentin Peninsula, on the northwest coast of France.

On the morning of Monday, January 28, the AAIB was advised by the Bureau d’Enquêtes & d’Analyses (BEA) - the French safety investigation authority - that part of a seat cushion had been found on the beach, with a second cushion found in the same area later the same day.

The AAIB say "it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft". You can see pictures of the parts here .

An official underwater search of an area spanning around four square nautical miles is now due to take place this week, the AAIB confirms, with the aim of trying to locate and identify possible aircraft wreckage.

That search is expected to begin "at the end of this weekend", and could last up to three days.

If found, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be used to visually examine the wreckage.

Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock holds first press conference since Sala disappearance

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It comes after a private search to find the plane began on Saturday. Funded by a huge crowdfunding campaign, the private search is also set to progress this weekend with an underwater search after wreck hunter and marine scientist David Mearns identified a "relatively small" target area. You can read more about those plans here . Both parties say they will be working together.

Referring to the private search for the missing plane, the AAIB say they are "liaising closely with those involved to maximise the chance of locating any wreckage and ensure a safe search operation".

The full statement from the Air Accident Investigation Branch Since we opened our safety investigation on Tuesday 23 January, we have been gathering evidence such as flight, aircraft and personnel records, and have been analysing radar data and air traffic tapes. We have been working closely with other international authorities and have kept the families of those involved updated on our progress. On the morning of Monday 28 January, we were advised by the Bureau d’Enquêtes & d’Analyses (BEA), the French safety investigation authority, that part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surainville on the Cotentin Peninsula. A second cushion was found in the same area later that day. From a preliminary examination we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft. From the moment we were notified of the missing aircraft, we have been looking at the feasibility of conducting an underwater seabed search for aircraft wreckage. Based on a detailed assessment of the flight path and last known radar position, we have now identified a priority search area of approximately four square nautical miles. Through the Ministry of Defence’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) Project Team, we have commissioned a specialist survey vessel to carry out an underwater survey of the seabed to try to locate and identify possible aircraft wreckage. Due to the weather and sea conditions, we currently expect our underwater seabed search to start at the end of this weekend and to take up to three days. Side-scan sonar equipment will be used to try to locate the wreckage on the seabed. If the wreckage is found, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be used to visually examine the wreckage. We are aware that a privately operated search is also being conducted in the area, and we are liaising closely with those involved to maximise the chance of locating any wreckage and ensure a safe search operation. Our remit is to undertake safety investigations to establish the cause of accidents. We do not apportion blame or liability.

David Mearns issued a statement on Wednesday, which said: "The privately funded search for the plane carrying Emiliano will be conducted, on behalf of the Sala family, in close coordination with the AAIB search effort. The two vessels will work together to search the designated area as safely, completely and efficiently as possible."

This latest development comes after Sala's mother Mercedes and sister Romina travelled to Guernsey, where the official search to find the missing plane was largely based.

David Mearns, coordinating the private search and speaking on behalf of the Sala family on Monday, said the family recreated, as closely as possible, the route of the plane at 5,000ft, descending to 2,200ft.

He said: "They actually recreated the type of pattern that the search and rescue aircraft would have created.

"That, essentially, has been the purpose of the family's visit to the island, is to come here and understand what they're being told in terms of the search and rescue effort."

(Image: Peter Frankland / Guernsey Press)

Mr Mearns said the area they are planning to search underwater is a "relatively small" one in terms of something being lost in the ocean.

He said: "This is nothing like MH370, but there are complications in terms of it being a small plane.

"The bottom is very hard, there's lots of other wreckage out there, and we have the weather.

"We are working in the worst time. If this was the summertime, our confidence level would be much higher, almost to the point of a guarantee.

"We can't do that here. That's the biggest complicating factor."

He made clear the first phase is a search and identification of the plane, and is not a recovery attempt.

"Once we find the plane, the AAIB and the police then get involved again."

It comes as Cardiff City played their first game since Sala's disappearance, losing 2-1 to Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Players, officials and fans came together in unity to pay tribute to Sala and Mr Ibbotson as the Emirates fell silent for a moment of reflection, while Bluebirds fans held up yellow placards when the teams emerged. There was then a minute's applause which rang around the ground, which you can read more about that tribute here .

(Image: Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal also paid a touching tribute by including Sala's name in the match programme, accompanied by a symbolic daffodil instead of the traditional squad number.

Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock later spoke of his pride in the players after what has been an incredibly tough week in the club's history.