This is a developing story here in CT. The area they are searching is probably the most rugged in the state.

Can anyone shed light on why they might not be able to triangulate on the beacon?

Chris

[color:"green"] (Sheffield, Mass.-AP, Mar. 3, 2003 Updated 10:10 AM) _Searchers combed a mountainous area along the boundaries of three states early Monday for a private plane reported missing with a family of seven aboard, police said.

Flight controllers lost radio contact with the single-engine Piper Cherokee Six shortly after 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Sheffield Police Chief James McGarry said the pilot reported the plane was in trouble but he had no details.

Shortly thereafter, controllers got a report from an emergency beacon, believed to be from the missing plane. However, the beacon was picked up by only one tracking satellite, so the location could not be immediately pinpointed.

The Keene, N.H., family, including five children, had been flying home after a visit in Pennsylvania, State Police Lt. Paul Maloney said. He declined to reveal their names.

The plane initially was believed to have gone down somewhere between Sheffield and Sharon, Conn., authorities said. The two towns are about 17 miles apart.

Later, however, the search was expanded to an area extending 40 miles outward from Sheffield, including adjacent areas of New York as well as Connecticut, Maloney said.

A state police helicopter took over the search in Massachusetts at dawn. Strong wind prevented Connecticut State Police aircraft from joining the search.

Temperatures in the mountains were in the single digits early Monday with gusty 15 to 30 mph wind.
[/color]