The UK Coastguard is co-ordinating the search on land and sea for the missing aircraft which was reported overdue at its destination in the Stranraer area.
An extensive search was launched although was hampered by low cloud and mist in some locations overnight.
The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick and the Irish Coastguard helicopter based at Dublin were scrambled.
Also taking part were the coastguard temas from Ballycastle, Coleraine, Stranraer, Portpatrick, Larne and Campbelltown together with Larne RNLI inshore lifeboats and Portpatrick all-weather lifeboat crew.
The Northern Irish North West Mountain Rescue Team also joined the search.
Ryan Gray, Senior Maritime Operations Officer at the UK Coastguard, said: “UK Coastguard has also issued a Mayday relay broadcast in the area and several merchant shipping vessels have responded and are keeping a lookout for this aircraft. We may send further resources as the search widens.”
Police in Northern Ireland and south west Scotland were monitoring developments this morning.
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