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BILLINGS - Mail sacks that fell from an airplane somewhere over a vast stretch of Montana are still missing. The good news is only a handful of parcels weren't delivered.

The two mail bags dropped from a small plane contracted to the U.S Postal Service as it was flying between Billings and Kailspell in late February.

A hatch at the rear of the plane opened, and it's believed the sacks hit the ground somewhere between Hobsen, west of Lewistown and Kalispell. That's hundreds of square miles, including backcountry like the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

U.S.P.S. spokeswoman Lisa Blomquist says the contractor, Alpine Air, helped conduct an "extensive" air search but nothing was found. There also have been no reports of anyone finding the orange nylon bags on the ground.

Originally, 15 parcels were reported missing in Kalispell, Blomquist says since then, most of that mail did arrive, leading the agency to believe that only seven pieces of mail are actually in the missing bags.

Blomquist says the mail might have been damaged from the drop, or by exposure to the elements.

"99.9 percent of Montanans are honest," and it's likely the bags will be turned in if they're ever located, she said.

If anyone finds the sacks, they can be taken to their nearest post office, or call Blomquist directly at 406-657-5775.