The wreckage of a small airplane that was reported missing early Tuesday has been found on a steep hillside near Upland, authorities said.

A Piper PA28 flying to Riverside was reported missing before 5 a.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said. Air traffic controllers lost communication with the plane at about 4:30 a.m. after it took off from Upland, the FAA said. Authorities requested a sheriff’s search and rescue team after they lost communication with the aircraft, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Elisabeth Sachs.

Searchers found the aircraft crashed on a grass- and brush-covered hillside between two canyons about a mile east of San Antonio Dam about 6 a.m., Sachs said.

The plane’s lone occupant was found dead, the San Bernardino County Fire Department tweeted.


The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

Joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.

ALSO


As trial approaches, Baca fights with feds over key witness

Robbery suspect killed after shooting at sheriff’s deputies outside La Mirada convenience store

‘Tragedy in the church’: Man accused of killing 4-year-old daughter by drowning her in baptismal pool

UPDATES:


9:50 a.m.: This article was updated with the condition of the pilot.

This article was originally published at 6:55 a.m.