Search underway for possible downed aircraft

A report of an airplane in trouble led to a search of the southern end of Tulare County for a possible plane down Sunday night. Two hours into the search and authorities had still not found any wreckage.

The California Highway Patrol reported at 5:42 p.m. that it had gotten a report of a plane emergency. The report originated at the Porterville Airport.

Lt. Kevin Cotton confirmed that the Tulare County Sheriffs depart was  searching for a possible downed aircraft in route to the Fresno Airport  from the Los Angeles area. It was last picked up on radar south of Bakersfield. Cotton said they would continue searching until confirmation that plane has landed or wreckage is found.

A search immediately began using Tulare County Fire Deplartment vehicles, the CHP and the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. Assisting in the search was at least one CHP helicopter.

At 6:44 p.m., authorities received a report of smoke seen in the area of Avenue 56 and Road 244 in the Ducor area, however as of 7:30 p.m. no further information was available.

Authorities were also searching the Rocky Hill area east of Porterville, but darkness was making the search difficult.

No other information was available.