Search for missing aircraft continues
Searching has continued today for a missing aircraft which took off from Ardmore airfield, south-east of Auckland at
11.25am yesterday (25 March 2014).
The home-built aerobatic bi-plane, carrying only the 53-year-old male pilot from Mt Wellington, was heading in a
north-easterly direction when it disappeared from radar, shortly after take-off. No distress beacon was activated, but
the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) launched a search after a friend of the pilot reported concern for
his safety.
Reported sightings by members of the public indicate the aircraft may have continued flying in a north-easterly
direction. The Westpac Trust helicopter from Auckland is searching the northern end of Coromandel Peninsula coastline,
with the Tauranga rescue helicopter conducting a coastal search from Waihi to Whitianga. A RNZAF P3 Orion is searching
up to a 200km off the coast, to the north east of Great Barrier Island.
RCCNZ Search and Rescue Mission Controller Neville Blakemore said a number of sighting reports from the public were
continuing to be received and analysed.
“This information is very useful in determining search areas and we are grateful for the help of the public with this
operation,” he said. “This is quite a distinctive blue and white aircraft and we are still interested in hearing from
people who may have seen it yesterday.”
With the fuel on board on leaving Ardmore, the aircraft would have had a maximum range of around 350 km. Fuel would have
been exhausted by about 1.30pm.
Anyone with sightings of the aircraft can contact RCCNZ on 0508 472 269 or the Police.
ENDS