River rafters discover wreckage of aircraft in Grand Canyon

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities have recovered the wreckage of a small aircraft that crashed at the Grand Canyon, and bones found in the cockpit and near the plane.

A group rafting down the Colorado River made the discovery earlier this month.

Grand Canyon spokeswoman Emily Davis said Tuesday that the size and color of the aircraft fits the description of one that went missing in 2011. That experimental aircraft was flown by Joseph Radford of Glendale.

Davis says the park is awaiting word from the medical examiner on exact identification of the remains.

John Weisheit was part of the group that discovered the wreckage May 8 on a rugged hike about a half mile from camp. He says the aircraft was smashed between boulders and the group found what appeared to be vertebrae in the cockpit.