The search for a missing plane will resume in the Snowy Mountains after the aircraft failed to land at a NSW airport.
The alarm was raised when the plane didn’t arrive at Moruya Airport on the state’s far South Coast around 4:30 pm on Tuesday.
Last Known Position Traced to Snowy Valley
The small plane had taken off from Wangaratta in Victoria with one person on board and its last known position was near Khancoban in the Snowy Mountains.
NSW Police believe the plane might have crashed about 500m off the Dargals Trail in the Snowy Valley.
Mult-agency Search Efforts
A multiple agencies search commenced late on Tuesday, involving NSW police, SES, NSW National Parks and Wildlife, and Snowy Hydro crews scouring the area from the ground.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said an Essendon-based Challenger jet, Victorian Ambulance Emergency Medical (HEMS) helicopter, and a Toll rescue helicopter from Bankstown were also assisting with the air search.
Rugged Terrain and Poor Visibility Hinder Search
The search was suspended on Wednesday afternoon due to poor visibility, but is expected to recommence at first light on Thursday morning, weather permitting.
Tuesday’s temperatures at Khancoban were as low as 5C, with temps as low as 4C on Wednesday and snow possible above 1,000 meters, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Temperatures Expected to Plummet
Thursday’s temperature is expected to plummet to a low of 1C with possible snow above 1,000 meters.