Urgent search launched after two Tasmanians disappear in plane crossing Bass Strait
The plane - carrying the pilot and one passenger - left George Town airport at 12.45pm on Saturday, setting off for Victoria and then on to Central NSW.
When it did not reach its destination as scheduled, family members alerted authorities.
A multi-agency operation led by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is now underway, with planes, helicopters and boats searching for the missing pair.
A spokesperson for AMSA said the alarm was sounded early on Saturday evening.
'Just after 5pm on Saturday evening, concern was raised after the aircraft failed to land in Central Western NSW,' the spokesperson said.
'AMSA has tasked a Tasmania Police helicopter (POLAIR 72) to conduct aerial search efforts around Georgetown, and adjacent parts of northern Tasmania.
A rescue jet is also scouting the Bass Strait from the air.
'Search efforts are expected to continue throughout Sunday,' the spokesperson said.
Tasmanian and Victorian police are assisting with the search.
'A search for a missing light plane with two people on board has resumed in Bass Strait this morning,' Tasmania Police said in a statement.
'The plane did not reach its destination as scheduled and authorities were notified by concerned family members that it was overdue.
'As a result, a search operation involving plane, helicopter and marine resources was activated last night.'
Tasmania Police advised that residents in the north of the state would see 'ongoing aerial search activities'.
The ABC reported that the Spirit of Tasmania was diverted to help with the search, but was later let go to continue its journey.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
New details in missing plane mystery
Fresh details have emerged about the plane that disappeared while crossing the Bass Strait from Tasmania. Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark, speaking on Sunday afternoon, said the pilot was a 70-year-old man and his passenger was a female in her 60s. The pair were a couple and on their way to visit family in NSW, he said, when their plane disappeared while crossing the Bass Strait. 'At this stage, there are significant air resources and a significant number of boats on the water searching for the missing plane, as well as beach and land searches being conducted in northern Tasmania,' Inspector Clark said. The desperate search was launched after family members raised the alarm when the couple did not arrive at their destination. A desperate search is underway now for the missing plane. Tasmania Police Credit: Supplied The plane – a two-seater – left George Town airport at 12.45pm on Saturday, setting off for Victoria and then on to Central NSW. Inspector Clark said there was no radio contact or distress call prior to the plane's disappearance. He said the pilot was 'very experienced' but was flying a plane that was 'relatively new' to him. '(He was) heavily involved in aero club here in George Town,' Inspector Clark said. 'If you find some people in the water and it is safe to do so, please render some assistance.' A multi-agency operation led by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is now underway, with planes, helicopters and boats searching for the missing pair. An urgent search is underway in the Bass Strait after a light plane carrying two Tasmanians went missing. Supplied Credit: Supplied Several boats are patrolling the Bass Strait, off northern Tasmania, as the search continues for a missing light plane. Tasmania Police Credit: Supplied A spokesman for AMSA said the alarm was sounded early on Saturday evening. 'Just after 5pm on Saturday evening, concern was raised after the aircraft failed to land in Central Western NSW,' the spokesman said. 'AMSA has tasked a Tasmania Police helicopter (POLAIR 72) to conduct aerial search efforts around Georgetown, and adjacent parts of northern Tasmania. A rescue jet is also scouting the Bass Strait from the air. 'Search efforts are expected to continue throughout Sunday,' the spokesman said. Tasmanian and Victorian police are assisting with the search. The Spirit of Tasmania was reportedly diverted to assist the search. NewsWire / Sarah Matray Credit: News Corp Australia 'A search for a missing light plane with two people on board has resumed in Bass Strait this morning,' Tasmania Police said in a statement. 'The plane did not reach its destination as scheduled and authorities were notified by concerned family members that it was overdue. 'As a result, a search operation involving plane, helicopter and marine resources was activated last night.' Tasmania Police advised that residents in the north of the state would see 'ongoing aerial search activities'. The ABC reported that the Spirit of Tasmania was diverted to help with the search, but was later let go to continue its journey.
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Emergency services launch desperate search to locate two passengers aboard light plane that disappeared over Bass Strait
Emergency services are scrambling to locate two people aboard a light plane that suddenly went missing over the Bass Strait after failing to arrive in New South Wales on Saturday. In a statement the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it was "currently coordinating the search for a missing light aircraft with two people onboard, near Tasmania". "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," it said. Police believe the pilot is aged in his early 70s and his female passenger is aged in her 60s. AMSA said it had since commenced an extensive land and sea search for the missing aircraft and that it had called in a Tasmanian Police helicopter and numerous vessels to scour Tasmania's northern coastline near George Town. The aircraft departed George Town Airport at midday on Saturday, with police stating the two elderly passengers were Tasmanian residents who were set to tour regional Victoria and central western NSW. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Hillston Airport southeast of Condobolin in rural NSW with family members alerting authorities when the Airport confirmed the plane did not arrive. AMSA's Melbourne based rescue plane is also conducting widespread overwater searches of the northern component of the Bass Strait and is being aided by Victoria police vessels. The maritime safety body said the search extended to 'southern Victoria around Morwell and Leongatha, supported by vessels from Victoria Police". Residents in Tasmania's north have been advised to expect constant aerial surveillance on Sunday evening as emergency services attempt to spot the aircraft over the vast stretch of sea. The Spirt of Tasmania TT-Line operator told the ABC the ferry's daily route was initially 'diverted to the last known location of the missing plane' on Saturday but was later pulled from the search operation. Tasmania police also said in a statement it was 'providing support' to the ongoing search effort. "The plane did not reach its destination as scheduled and authorities were notified by concerned family members that it was overdue. As a result, a search operation involving plane, helicopter and marine resources was activated." Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the incident was an 'absolute tragedy' and passed on the well wishes of all Tasmanians to the missing passenger's family and friends. 'I pray and hope that there is some good news at the end of all this.' Tasmanian police and AMSA called on anyone in George Town to remain on the look out for the light aircraft. Authorities also called on people travelling through the waters of northern Tasmania and southern Victoria to be on high alert for the aircraft and to assist the missing persons if they spotted them if it was safe to do so. Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA Response Centre immediately on +61 2 6279 5700
The Australian
9 hours ago
- The Australian
Bass Strait plane disappears, two Tasmanians aboard, urgent search underway
A desperate search has been launched for a light plane carrying two Tasmanians, after it disappeared crossing the Bass Straight travelling to regional Victoria. The plane - carrying the pilot and one passenger - left George Town airport at 12.45pm on Saturday, setting off for Victoria and then on to Central NSW. When it did not reach its destination as scheduled, family members alerted authorities. A multi-agency operation led by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is now underway, with planes, helicopters and boats searching for the missing pair. An urgent search is underway in the Bass Strait after a light plane carrying two Tasmanians went missing. Picture: Supplied A spokesperson for AMSA said the alarm was sounded early on Saturday evening. 'Just after 5pm on Saturday evening, concern was raised after the aircraft failed to land in Central Western NSW,' the spokesperson said. 'AMSA has tasked a Tasmania Police helicopter (POLAIR 72) to conduct aerial search efforts around Georgetown, and adjacent parts of northern Tasmania. A rescue jet is also scouting the Bass Strait from the air. 'Search efforts are expected to continue throughout Sunday,' the spokesperson said. Tasmanian and Victorian police are assisting with the search. The Spirit of Tasmania was reportedly diverted to assist the search. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Matray 'A search for a missing light plane with two people on board has resumed in Bass Strait this morning,' Tasmania Police said in a statement. 'The plane did not reach its destination as scheduled and authorities were notified by concerned family members that it was overdue. 'As a result, a search operation involving plane, helicopter and marine resources was activated last night.' Tasmania Police advised that residents in the north of the state would see 'ongoing aerial search activities'. The ABC reported that the Spirit of Tasmania was diverted to help with the search, but was later let go to continue its journey. Brendan Kearns Cadet Journalist Brendan Kearns is a cadet journalist with News Corp Australia. He has written for The Australian, the Herald Sun, the Geelong Advertiser, CHOICE, Cosmos, and The Citizen. He won Democracy's Watchdogs' Student Award for Investigative Journalism 2024 and hosted the third season of award-winning podcast Uncurated. He studied as Master of Journalism at The University of Melbourne, before that he worked as a video producer and disability worker. @brendandkearns Brendan Kearns
