Search for missing pilot and plane in downtown Otago

Search teams in four-wheel drive cars and motorcycles trudged through the rugged terrain of downtown Otago tonight in search of a missing pilot and aircraft.

An emergency beacon went on at 5.30pm, the signal came from an area between the Old Man Range and Garvie Range, between Alexandra and Kingston.

The missing plane, a Cessna 172 with only the pilot on board, is believed to have been traveling between Bannockburn and Gore.

“Although they could not locate the aircraft, the crew of a helicopter spent several hours earlier on the scene and searching,” said a spokesman for the rescue coordination center, “they were able to confirm and reduce the location to 3-4 km, before being forced to return to base due to weather conditions. “

The ground crews then entered the area and were expected to arrive at the beacon around 10.30pm.

“The Civil Aviation Authority has been contacted, as has the man’s family,” the spokesman said.

“No further information is known about the status of the pilot or aircraft at this stage, although rescuers are doing everything possible to get to him as quickly as possible, subject to terrain and conditions.”