A charter plane carrying 10 students from the Los Angeles area has been missing since Sunday. It was caught in a fierce tropical storm over the South Pacific between Guam and the island of Palau. The plane's last known coordinates were tracked in that general area when the plane disappeared from radar. The Honolulu Airport reportedly received it's last contact from the pilot, Captain Russell, at approximately 10 a.m. on Sunday, when he called in a distress signal. There has been no further contact from the captain or the students on board. Information will follow as it becomes available.

The 10 Hartwell School students were en route from Guam to the Palau International Airport in Airai where they were to participate in a Micronesia EcoAdventure Tour. A former commercial pilot, Captain Russell is currently employed by South Sea Charters.