Fears for pilot David Stephens after crashed plane found in remote NSW Snowy Mountains
The pilot, 74-year-old Bega man David Stephens, has been missing since Tuesday afternoon. Stephens was last seen at Wangaratta in Victoria when his plane was inspected before takeoff.
NSW police commenced an air and land search for Stephens when he did not arrive at his destination of Moruya airport on the NSW south coast. The downed plane was spotted near Dargals Trail east of Khancoban on Thursday afternoon.
A police spokesperson said on Friday a 'recovery operation' would commence about midday to 'retrieve and examine' the plane after it was located in the Snowy Valleys.
'The recovery operation will involve officers from Riverina police district, PolAir, Police Rescue, and the criminal investigation and crime scene unit,' the spokesperson said. 'NSW police force now have carriage of this matter with investigations continuing.'
The initial search for the crash site included the police alpine operations unit, the NSW and Victorian ambulance services, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, state emergency services and Snowy Hydro.
An Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger rescue jet and two helicopters conducted the overhead search.
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