Australian authorities launch search for missing aircraft last reported over Tasmania
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and other local partners have deployed air and maritime assets to search for a light aircraft that has been missing since Sunday, August 3.
The Tasmania Police said the aircraft with two people on board took off from George Town Airport in Tasmania at around 12:45 local time on Sunday with a final destination of Central Western New South Wales.
The families of the aircraft's occupants informed authorities of their concerns as the aircraft failed to arrive as expected at Hillston Airport in NSW.
A Tasmania Police helicopter and a number of vessels have been conducting search activities near George Town and along Tasmania’s northern coastline while AMSA and the Victoria Police are conducting searches over Bass Strait and also southern Victoria around Morwell and Leongatha.
On Monday, August 4, AMSA's Essendon-based Challenger aircraft, a Tasmania Police helicopter, and two other fixed wing aircraft began focusing on searching an area in Bass Strait and northern Tasmania.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the AMSA Response Centre at 02 6279 5700.
AMSA and Tasmania Police are urging anyone in George Town or transiting the waters in northern Tasmania and Bass Strait to keep a sharp lookout for any signs of a light aircraft or its occupants, and if safe to do so, render assistance.
