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A search is continuing for an elderly couple whose light plane went missing over Bass Strait.
The pilot in his early 70s and his female passenger in her 60s departed George Town Airport in Tasmania at around 12:45pm bound for Hillston in central western NSW via Leongatha, with the alarm raised at around 5pm that evening after they failed to arrive.
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“The Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Tasmania Police urge anyone near George Town or transiting the waters in northern Tasmania and Bass Strait, or southern Victoria near Leongatha, to keep a lookout for any signs of the aircraft or its occupants, and if safe to do so, render assistance,” said Tasmania Police in a statement.
While the pilot is believed to be very experienced, the plane – described as bright green, and of an unknown model – is relatively new to him, having been purchased only three to four months ago, according to Tasmania Police inspector Nick Clark. No distress calls were reported from the plane prior to its disappearance.
“I’m aware that the pilot was heavily involved with the Aero Club here at George Town,” Clark told media on Sunday afternoon.
“At this stage, there are significant air resources being used and significant number of boats on the water searching for the missing plane, as well as beach and land searches being conducted in northern Tasmania.
“Tasmania Police are conducting searches on the north coast of Tasmania in the Georgetown vicinity, on land and in the water, and Tasmania Police and Victoria Police are conducting specific searches through Bass Strait in a specific area identified by AMSA, which is the possible flight path of the plane.
“This is still a search operation, we are hoping we find these people alive, that’s the main focus of the search.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA Response Centre on 02 6279 5700 or Tasmania Police on 131 444.
