HOBART, TASMANIA – A search is underway for a couple and their dog who went missing on Saturday while flying over Bass Strait in a small plane.
According to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the pilot did not make contact with authorities before the aircraft disappeared.
The plane, carrying a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s, was headed to Hillston Airport in Central Western New South Wales but failed to arrive.
Concerns were raised around 5 pm on Saturday, prompting a search effort coordinated by AMSA and Tasmania Police.
George Town-based flight instructor Eugene Reid emphasized that pilots flying over Bass Strait are required to make scheduled reports to air authorities.
“You have to do scheduled reporting,” he said.
“On leaving the coast, they should have called up air services.”
However, an AMSA spokesperson confirmed that the pilot did not make contact with authorities, although it is unclear if the plane disappeared before such contact was required.
Tasmania Police Commander Marco Ghedini expressed optimism about the search efforts, stating, “We remain hopeful of a positive outcome and are committed to continuing the search.”
The authorities have urged members of the public in northern Tasmania and on Bass Strait to keep an eye out for the plane and its occupants.
The search effort involves four aircraft, including AMSA’s Challenger jet, the Tasmania Police helicopter, and two planes, as well as watercraft.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA response Centre on `02 6279 5700`.