The pilot of a single engine airplane, missing for four days, was found in the wreckage of his airplane Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Andrew Lindberg, 32, of Farmington, had been missing since the preceding Friday evening, when he left Airlake Airport inLakeville bound for Hallock, in extreme northwestern Minnesota. His last radio transmission was picked up at the Wadena tower, indicating he was within 25 miles of Staples at the time of the transmission about 6:30 p.m.

His plane's disappearance initiated an air and ground search,with Civil Air Patrol planes scouring the area from Staples north to Hallock. Ground searches were also underway in Wadena County and other areas north of Staples, following up on any clues or tips that came in.

Lindberg's body was located in the airplane, found in a densely wooded area of Clearwater County. It was first seen by a private pilot from Walker who had been searching for the downed plane on his own. He spotted the wreckage about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday about 20 miles east of Mahnomen. He then picked up a Mahnomen County deputy sheriff and the two returned to the crash site. They verified the wreckage included parts of a plane. However, low light conditions prevented a ground crew from getting to the area until the next morning.

About 7:30 a.m., a State Patrol helicopter flew over the site and then directed Clearwater County deputies, Bagley Police and other authorites to the location. Lindberg's family members also were present at the scene.

Authorities sealed off the site with an investigation into the crash being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

Lindberg had earned his pilot's license just a few months ago and was headed for Hallock to join his father and a friend for a weekend of deer hunting.