JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The search for a missing OTUS Project drone continues in the area anyone with information on the whereabouts of this drone should contact John Francis at 701-353-5489.

Francis said on Friday, June 20th, a group of researchers from the OTUS Project, deployed a drone into the wedge of a tornado east of Spiritwood, North Dakota to gather data on the formation and internal forces of the tornado.

He said they successfully flew the drone through the tornado multiple times but unfortunately, the drone lost contact with its controller shortly before the tornado crossed 97th Ave SE and hit the Hovda house. We’ve been searching an area north northwest of Urbana, North Dakota where contact was lost but have not been able to turn anything up.

The area where this drone may have landed is a pretty large area and all private land. The drone contains invaluable data on this tornado and being able to recover it could help save lives in the future. The goal is to get this message out to as many people as possible in the chance that someone may come across it. A file photo of the drone is in the feature photo and a map of the area it may be missing in is in the gallery below. If you spot this drone please call John Francis at 701-353-5489 or email him at – jmsaerialphotography@gmail.com