A body has successfully been recovered from the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson.
According to Sky News, robots were used to extract the body in 'challenging conditions' and the operation was done 'in as dignified a way as possible'.
The report doesn't specify whose body was discovered and removed. It will be taken back to shore for identification.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch has released a heartbreaking statement, revealing that further efforts to recover the plane will not go ahead.
Advert
"Following extensive visual examination of the accident site using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV), it was decided to attempt recovery operations," it read.
"In challenging conditions, the AAIB and its specialist contractors successfully recovered the body previously seen amidst the wreckage.
"The operation was carried out in as dignified a way as possible and the families were kept informed of progress.
"Unfortunately, attempts to recover the aircraft wreckage were unsuccessful before poor weather conditions forced us to return the ROV to the ship.
"The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close.
Advert
"The body is currently being taken to Portland to be passed into the care of the Dorset Coroner.
"Although it was not possible to recover the aircraft, the extensive video record captured by the ROV is expected to provide valuable evidence for our safety investigation.
"We expect our next update to be an interim report, which we intend to publish within one month of the accident occurring."
Two days ago the AAIB identified a body in amongst the wreckage but the operation to remove it was listed as difficult because of underwater conditions.
Before the AAIB stepped in, oceanographer, marine scientist and well-known shipwreck hunter David Mearns launched a survey vessel and confirmed the wreckage had been found after 'a couple of hours' of searching the seabed of the English Channel.
Advert
Mearns explained the investigation had then been handed over to the AAIB.
He told Sky Sports News: "Our job is done. This is an active investigation now in the hands of the AAIB, and they will be taking over as agreed.
"We've had a long trip back and all I could think about was the families. This is what they wanted us to do, we've achieved it and that's the best we could have hoped for - the best outcome.
"Incredibly tragic and sad, and a devastating moment, but at least some of their questions will be answered because of what we will be able to do today."
Featured Image Credit: AAIBTopics: News