Man s body recovered following search for missing light aircraft in central Otago stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Man dead as missing plane located in Central Otago
The body of a man has been located following a search for a missing plane in Central Otago.
The Cessna 172 was flying between Bannockburn and Gore when an emergency beacon was activated around 5.30pm on Wednesday.
The aircraft was found about 4am on Old Man Range near Alexandra by search and rescue volunteers.
The pilot occupant was dead at the scene and teams were working to recover the body.
Wakatipu and Central Otago Search and Rescue volunteers and Otago Rescue Helicopter staff carried out the search.
Rescue Coordination Centre search and rescue officer Geoff Lunt said the Queenstown-based helicopter crew identified the area by the distress beacon signal but due to heavy, low cloud could not get close. Ground crews went in with thermal imaging equipment and a portable device to home in on the beacon signal.
Date Time
Light aircraft crash, Central Otago
The body of a man has been located following a search and rescue operation in Central Otago overnight.
The search and rescue operation was launched after the RCCNZ received an emergency beacon alert from a private light aircraft at about 5.30pm.
The aircraft was located at around 4am this morning on Old Man Range near Alexandra by search and rescue volunteers.
The sole occupant was located deceased at the scene.
Work is now being undertaken to recover his body.
We’d like to acknowledge and thank the tireless work of the Wakatipu and Central Otago Search and Rescue volunteers and Otago Helicopters staff who have worked throughout the night.
Pilot found dead after plane goes missing in Otago nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Snowfall on the Old Man Range near Alexandra trapped a group of people overnight Sunday. (File photo)
A group has been rescued after being stranded overnight in snow in the Central Otago high country after their vehicle broke down. Search and rescue teams went to the aid of four men and two women who were stuck on the Old Man Range, near Alexandra, on Monday morning. Central Otago area response manager Senior Sergeant Clint Wright said police received a call from a man needing help after his vehicle broke down about 9pm on Sunday. “The man reported he was with five other people, and they had initially started at Gorge Creek but ran into difficulty on the way to Duffers Saddle. The weather at the time had turned and it had begun to snow,” he said.