Huge Reward Offered For Information Leading To Missing Student Pilot

BEVERLY HILLS (CBSLA.com) — A large reward was offered Friday night in the mysterious disappearance of a student pilot who went missing a week ago tomorrow.

The mystery continues into what happened to a student pilot and his flight instructor after their single-engine Cessna 172 airplane disappeared over the coast of Catalina Island on a flight to Van Nuys Airport.

The U.S. Coast Guard Search suspended its search at 8 p.m. Monday after more than 16 hours of searching, according to the Coast Guard.

Jason Glazier, 52, of Encino, and student pilot Edmond Haronian, 50, of Woodland Hills, flew from Van Nuys Airport to Catalina Island around 1:00 p.m. Saturday, according to the sheriff's department.

Authorities confirmed the men did not file a flight plan before starting their journey.

KCAL9's Rachel Kim attended the news conference where family and friends of the missing student pilot  held out hope he would be found.

If Haronian is found alive, the reward offered was for $250,000. If information leads to a body, the reward would be $150,000.

Either way, loved ones hope the cash incentive will perhaps jog something in someone in the public that can help them in the search.

Haronian's family said they had all but given up hope but a possible sighting -- being investigated by police -- has given them renewed hope.

Haronian, an insurance broker from Woodland Hills, was shown in pictures on Facebook having landed on Catalina. But he and the pilot never made it back to Van Nuys.

So far searches by the Coast Guard, Sheriff's Department and private searches have turned up nothing.

Officials are puzzled. There was no distress call and the pilot has 30 years experience. The plane was also in excellent condition.

Because no wreckage has been found, Haronian's family said they are hoping he is still alive.

"We are asking the public to please help us look for his body," said family friend Katy Younesi, "[But] hopefully alive. But any information leading -- you don't have to go get Edmond for us -- but any information you have, give it to us."

"I love him very much, I miss him, I wish I had spent more time with him when I could and I hope he comes back so I can keep spending time with him," said the missing man's brother, Edwin Haronian.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD.