A Peruvian air plane with 20 people on board is missing in Peru's northeastern jungle, the defense ministry said Friday. Local news media said the plane crashed. A Twin Otter plane piloted by a three-man air force crew and carrying 17 civilian passengers was declared missing Thursday evening after departing from the community of Orellana some 580 kilometers (360 miles) northeast of Lima, The Associated Press quoted the ministry as saying in a communique. The plane was part of the air force's civic action flights that connect small communities in the jungle not served by commercial airliners.
