Plane wreckage of missing flight discovered
The aircraft was being flown by 74-year-old David Stephens, a resident of Brogo in the Bega Valley.
He went missing on Tuesday afternoon between Wangaratta and Moruya.
Mr Stephens' wife, Lynda, spoke out earlier on Thursday about her husband's lifelong love of flying.
"Unfortunately, David disappeared on his flight home on Tuesday, July 15, after having his aircraft inspected," she said in a statement to The Bay Post.
Lynda said the mountain weather could turn very quickly, and it was assumed "he must have seen a way over the mountain to decide not to turn back to Wangaratta".
"David has quite a bit of experience flying the plane, but we can't know what situation he was facing, and we'll only have answers once they locate the plane and, with that, David."
A NSW Police spokesperson said at 4.35pm on Tuesday, July 15, emergency services were notified of a possible plane crash in the vicinity of Dargals Trail, Snowy Valleys.
Air Services Australia notified the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that a plane took off from Victoria, bound for Moruya Airport; however, it never arrived.
A command post was established.
A search commenced involving officers attached to the NSW Police Alpine Operations Unit, with assistance from NSW and Victoria Ambulance Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre airwing.
But the plane could not be located.
About 8.30am, Wednesday, July 16, the multi-agency search resumed, involving officers attached to NSW Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, State Emergency Services, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Snowy Hydro.
"The AMSA Challenger rescue jet and two helicopters, from Victoria and Sydney, conducted an overhead search," the NSW Police spokesperson said.
"About 4pm, Thursday, July 17, a rescue helicopter located what was believed to be the crashed plane near the plane's last known GPS location."
Mr Stephens earned his pilot's licence before he began driving in the 1960s, and was immensely proud of his 1966 Beechcraft Debonair, which he christened "Deb".
"David is also a well-known and respected rally sport competitor and a dedicated committee member for various motorsport clubs on the Sapphire Coast region," Ms Stephens said.
"If he wasn't competing, he'll be volunteering as an official in all capacities for the ACT and NSW rally series, and in turn, the Australian Rally Championships."
President of the Frogs Hollow Flyers Tony Rettke said he drafted Mr Stephens as secretary to the club in recognition of his broad experience.
"I pulled him onto the committee because he was a member and I could tell he had a lot to contribute with regard to being a wise person and a flyer for many years," he said.
Mr Stephens worked for decades as a chartered tax accountant, and was only two months away from retirement, when his family said they hoped to spend more time with him.
A plane that was reported missing over the Snowy Mountains on a flight from Victoria to the NSW South Coast has been located.
The aircraft was being flown by 74-year-old David Stephens, a resident of Brogo in the Bega Valley.
He went missing on Tuesday afternoon between Wangaratta and Moruya.
Mr Stephens' wife, Lynda, spoke out earlier on Thursday about her husband's lifelong love of flying.
"Unfortunately, David disappeared on his flight home on Tuesday, July 15, after having his aircraft inspected," she said in a statement to The Bay Post.
Lynda said the mountain weather could turn very quickly, and it was assumed "he must have seen a way over the mountain to decide not to turn back to Wangaratta".
"David has quite a bit of experience flying the plane, but we can't know what situation he was facing, and we'll only have answers once they locate the plane and, with that, David."
A NSW Police spokesperson said at 4.35pm on Tuesday, July 15, emergency services were notified of a possible plane crash in the vicinity of Dargals Trail, Snowy Valleys.
Air Services Australia notified the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that a plane took off from Victoria, bound for Moruya Airport; however, it never arrived.
A command post was established.
A search commenced involving officers attached to the NSW Police Alpine Operations Unit, with assistance from NSW and Victoria Ambulance Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre airwing.
But the plane could not be located.
About 8.30am, Wednesday, July 16, the multi-agency search resumed, involving officers attached to NSW Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, State Emergency Services, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Snowy Hydro.
"The AMSA Challenger rescue jet and two helicopters, from Victoria and Sydney, conducted an overhead search," the NSW Police spokesperson said.
"About 4pm, Thursday, July 17, a rescue helicopter located what was believed to be the crashed plane near the plane's last known GPS location."
Mr Stephens earned his pilot's licence before he began driving in the 1960s, and was immensely proud of his 1966 Beechcraft Debonair, which he christened "Deb".
"David is also a well-known and respected rally sport competitor and a dedicated committee member for various motorsport clubs on the Sapphire Coast region," Ms Stephens said.
"If he wasn't competing, he'll be volunteering as an official in all capacities for the ACT and NSW rally series, and in turn, the Australian Rally Championships."
President of the Frogs Hollow Flyers Tony Rettke said he drafted Mr Stephens as secretary to the club in recognition of his broad experience.
"I pulled him onto the committee because he was a member and I could tell he had a lot to contribute with regard to being a wise person and a flyer for many years," he said.
Mr Stephens worked for decades as a chartered tax accountant, and was only two months away from retirement, when his family said they hoped to spend more time with him.
A plane that was reported missing over the Snowy Mountains on a flight from Victoria to the NSW South Coast has been located.
The aircraft was being flown by 74-year-old David Stephens, a resident of Brogo in the Bega Valley.
He went missing on Tuesday afternoon between Wangaratta and Moruya.
Mr Stephens' wife, Lynda, spoke out earlier on Thursday about her husband's lifelong love of flying.
"Unfortunately, David disappeared on his flight home on Tuesday, July 15, after having his aircraft inspected," she said in a statement to The Bay Post.
Lynda said the mountain weather could turn very quickly, and it was assumed "he must have seen a way over the mountain to decide not to turn back to Wangaratta".
"David has quite a bit of experience flying the plane, but we can't know what situation he was facing, and we'll only have answers once they locate the plane and, with that, David."
A NSW Police spokesperson said at 4.35pm on Tuesday, July 15, emergency services were notified of a possible plane crash in the vicinity of Dargals Trail, Snowy Valleys.
Air Services Australia notified the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that a plane took off from Victoria, bound for Moruya Airport; however, it never arrived.
A command post was established.
A search commenced involving officers attached to the NSW Police Alpine Operations Unit, with assistance from NSW and Victoria Ambulance Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre airwing.
But the plane could not be located.
About 8.30am, Wednesday, July 16, the multi-agency search resumed, involving officers attached to NSW Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, State Emergency Services, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Snowy Hydro.
"The AMSA Challenger rescue jet and two helicopters, from Victoria and Sydney, conducted an overhead search," the NSW Police spokesperson said.
"About 4pm, Thursday, July 17, a rescue helicopter located what was believed to be the crashed plane near the plane's last known GPS location."
Mr Stephens earned his pilot's licence before he began driving in the 1960s, and was immensely proud of his 1966 Beechcraft Debonair, which he christened "Deb".
"David is also a well-known and respected rally sport competitor and a dedicated committee member for various motorsport clubs on the Sapphire Coast region," Ms Stephens said.
"If he wasn't competing, he'll be volunteering as an official in all capacities for the ACT and NSW rally series, and in turn, the Australian Rally Championships."
President of the Frogs Hollow Flyers Tony Rettke said he drafted Mr Stephens as secretary to the club in recognition of his broad experience.
"I pulled him onto the committee because he was a member and I could tell he had a lot to contribute with regard to being a wise person and a flyer for many years," he said.
Mr Stephens worked for decades as a chartered tax accountant, and was only two months away from retirement, when his family said they hoped to spend more time with him.
A plane that was reported missing over the Snowy Mountains on a flight from Victoria to the NSW South Coast has been located.
The aircraft was being flown by 74-year-old David Stephens, a resident of Brogo in the Bega Valley.
He went missing on Tuesday afternoon between Wangaratta and Moruya.
Mr Stephens' wife, Lynda, spoke out earlier on Thursday about her husband's lifelong love of flying.
"Unfortunately, David disappeared on his flight home on Tuesday, July 15, after having his aircraft inspected," she said in a statement to The Bay Post.
Lynda said the mountain weather could turn very quickly, and it was assumed "he must have seen a way over the mountain to decide not to turn back to Wangaratta".
"David has quite a bit of experience flying the plane, but we can't know what situation he was facing, and we'll only have answers once they locate the plane and, with that, David."
A NSW Police spokesperson said at 4.35pm on Tuesday, July 15, emergency services were notified of a possible plane crash in the vicinity of Dargals Trail, Snowy Valleys.
Air Services Australia notified the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) that a plane took off from Victoria, bound for Moruya Airport; however, it never arrived.
A command post was established.
A search commenced involving officers attached to the NSW Police Alpine Operations Unit, with assistance from NSW and Victoria Ambulance Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre airwing.
But the plane could not be located.
About 8.30am, Wednesday, July 16, the multi-agency search resumed, involving officers attached to NSW Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, State Emergency Services, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Snowy Hydro.
"The AMSA Challenger rescue jet and two helicopters, from Victoria and Sydney, conducted an overhead search," the NSW Police spokesperson said.
"About 4pm, Thursday, July 17, a rescue helicopter located what was believed to be the crashed plane near the plane's last known GPS location."
Mr Stephens earned his pilot's licence before he began driving in the 1960s, and was immensely proud of his 1966 Beechcraft Debonair, which he christened "Deb".
"David is also a well-known and respected rally sport competitor and a dedicated committee member for various motorsport clubs on the Sapphire Coast region," Ms Stephens said.
"If he wasn't competing, he'll be volunteering as an official in all capacities for the ACT and NSW rally series, and in turn, the Australian Rally Championships."
President of the Frogs Hollow Flyers Tony Rettke said he drafted Mr Stephens as secretary to the club in recognition of his broad experience.
"I pulled him onto the committee because he was a member and I could tell he had a lot to contribute with regard to being a wise person and a flyer for many years," he said.
Mr Stephens worked for decades as a chartered tax accountant, and was only two months away from retirement, when his family said they hoped to spend more time with him.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Police hold 'grave concerns' as search for missing plane enters fourth day
As the search for a missing light aircraft continues in the Bass Strait, and police have said they have grave concerns for the occupants. The search for the married couple, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s and their dog entered a fourth day on August 5, focusing on Tasmania's coastline. A Tasmania Police helicopter crew is searching the northern coastline between George Town and Turner's Beach, with marine vessels grounded due to poor weather conditions. The bright-green twin-seat light plane took off from George Town Airport at around 12:45 on August 2. There has been no communication from the aircraft or the couple since then. Family members raised the alarm after the aircraft failed to arrive at its central New South Wales destination. Extensive searches involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger jet and Tasmania Police helicopters and marine vessels followed, but have yielded no sign of the couple or their plane. Tasmania Police Northern Commander Marco Ghedini said the police are concerned for the missing couple. "As we enter the fourth day of searching, police hold grave concerns for the missing couple," he said. Commander Ghedini said a further assessment of the search will be made in the coming days. Police have asked anyone with information that could assist the search, such as a plane matching the description, or anyone who has noticed any unusual debris on land or in the water, to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444. As the search for a missing light aircraft continues in the Bass Strait, and police have said they have grave concerns for the occupants. The search for the married couple, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s and their dog entered a fourth day on August 5, focusing on Tasmania's coastline. A Tasmania Police helicopter crew is searching the northern coastline between George Town and Turner's Beach, with marine vessels grounded due to poor weather conditions. The bright-green twin-seat light plane took off from George Town Airport at around 12:45 on August 2. There has been no communication from the aircraft or the couple since then. Family members raised the alarm after the aircraft failed to arrive at its central New South Wales destination. Extensive searches involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger jet and Tasmania Police helicopters and marine vessels followed, but have yielded no sign of the couple or their plane. Tasmania Police Northern Commander Marco Ghedini said the police are concerned for the missing couple. "As we enter the fourth day of searching, police hold grave concerns for the missing couple," he said. Commander Ghedini said a further assessment of the search will be made in the coming days. Police have asked anyone with information that could assist the search, such as a plane matching the description, or anyone who has noticed any unusual debris on land or in the water, to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444. As the search for a missing light aircraft continues in the Bass Strait, and police have said they have grave concerns for the occupants. The search for the married couple, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s and their dog entered a fourth day on August 5, focusing on Tasmania's coastline. A Tasmania Police helicopter crew is searching the northern coastline between George Town and Turner's Beach, with marine vessels grounded due to poor weather conditions. The bright-green twin-seat light plane took off from George Town Airport at around 12:45 on August 2. There has been no communication from the aircraft or the couple since then. Family members raised the alarm after the aircraft failed to arrive at its central New South Wales destination. Extensive searches involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger jet and Tasmania Police helicopters and marine vessels followed, but have yielded no sign of the couple or their plane. Tasmania Police Northern Commander Marco Ghedini said the police are concerned for the missing couple. "As we enter the fourth day of searching, police hold grave concerns for the missing couple," he said. Commander Ghedini said a further assessment of the search will be made in the coming days. Police have asked anyone with information that could assist the search, such as a plane matching the description, or anyone who has noticed any unusual debris on land or in the water, to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444. As the search for a missing light aircraft continues in the Bass Strait, and police have said they have grave concerns for the occupants. The search for the married couple, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s and their dog entered a fourth day on August 5, focusing on Tasmania's coastline. A Tasmania Police helicopter crew is searching the northern coastline between George Town and Turner's Beach, with marine vessels grounded due to poor weather conditions. The bright-green twin-seat light plane took off from George Town Airport at around 12:45 on August 2. There has been no communication from the aircraft or the couple since then. Family members raised the alarm after the aircraft failed to arrive at its central New South Wales destination. Extensive searches involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger jet and Tasmania Police helicopters and marine vessels followed, but have yielded no sign of the couple or their plane. Tasmania Police Northern Commander Marco Ghedini said the police are concerned for the missing couple. "As we enter the fourth day of searching, police hold grave concerns for the missing couple," he said. Commander Ghedini said a further assessment of the search will be made in the coming days. Police have asked anyone with information that could assist the search, such as a plane matching the description, or anyone who has noticed any unusual debris on land or in the water, to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
Pilot failed to contact authorities as plane vanishes over Bass Strait
The pilot whose plane disappeared over the Bass Strait failed to contact authorities before departing on Saturday. Police are on the second day of their search for a couple – a pilot aged in his 70s, his partner, aged in her 60s, and their pet dog – whose light plane disappeared over the Bass Strait on Saturday. The plane took off from George Town Airport in Tasmania's northeast on Saturday afternoon and was expected to arrive at Hillston Airport in western NSW. The couple were planning to spend time with their family. However, after the plane failed to arrive after 5pm the same day, the family raised the alarm. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed the search for the missing couple and their dog would continue on Monday morning. While it is not known what model the plane is, it has been described as bright green in colour. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Tasmania Police Inspector Nicholas Clark said the pilot was believed to be 'very experienced'. 'The pilot was heavily involved with the aero club here at George Town,' he said. However, he added the plane was 'new to (the pilot)', as he had only purchased it three or months before the disappearance. He said the pilot made no contact with authorities while travelling over Bass Strait. The search resumed on Monday morning, with four aircraft, including the AMSA Challenger jet, a Tasmania Police helicopter and two aeroplanes taking part. The search also involves the Maritime Safety Authority, which is spanning a specific area of the Bass Strait near northern Tasmania. Speaking to the ABC, George Town flight instructor Eugene Reid said pilots were required to make 'scheduled reporting' when flying over Bass Strait, adding the pilot 'should have called up air services' upon leaving the coast. While pilots were supposed to inform traffic controllers of their movements, pilots of small planes such as this one were not legally required to have tracking services installed, he added. 'You can take off in an aircraft and fly across Bass Strait, making your radio calls and the only thing you have to carry is an EPIRB (emergency beacon) like they have on a boat,' Mr Reid told the outlet. The beacon sends off an emergency signal to nearby satellites. 'But you have to turn that on,' he said. 'It doesn't activate itself.'
9 News
6 days ago
- 9 News
Search continues for light plane missing over Bass Strait
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A search resumed this morning for a light plane that is believed to have gone missing over Bass Strait. The plane, which had two people and a dog on board, took off from George Town Airport in Tasmania on Saturday, but did not arrive at its destination at Hillston Airport, west of Condoblin in central western New South Wales . It was also supposed to have a scheduled stopover in Leongatha in Victoria's Gippsland region. It is believed a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s were on board the flight. "Just after 5pm on Saturday evening, concern was raised after the aircraft failed to land in Central Western NSW, after departing George Town, Tasmania at around 12.45 pm," a statement from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said. An AMSA spokesperson said the pilot had made no contact with authorities. The search took place yesterday until last light, before resuming this morning. AMSA currently has one of its planes - a Challenger aircraft - involved in the search effort. (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) Parts of both Tasmania and Victoria are being searched, with an AMSA aircraft and Tasmania police helicopter today focusing on an area in the Bass Strait and northern Tasmania. "Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA Response Centre on 02 6279 5700," a Tasmania Police statement said. "AMSA and Tasmania Police urges anyone in George Town or transiting the waters in northern Tasmania and Bass Strait to please keep a sharp lookout for any signs of a light aircraft or its occupants, and if safe to do so, render assistance." national Australia tasmania Transport CONTACT US
