As the aircraft ran out of altitude and options, gliding with a broken windshield and no engine power, the crew made visualcontact with the ground and spotted a straight section of a rural highway below.
Staff Sgt LORENTO SPITERI, Armed Forces of Malta: Once we do make visualcontact with the vessel we'll ID the number of personnel on board, and we'll usually immediately commence a search for about 25 to 40 square miles.