Pilot and Passenger Missing After Plane Fails to Reach Destination, Vanished Over Water
- A light aircraft carrying two Tasmanian residents vanished over the Bass Strait on Saturday afternoon, prompting a major search operation
- The experienced pilot and his partner were en route to New South Wales but failed to make contact or issue a distress signal
- Authorities are urging the public to report any signs of debris as the search continues across southern Victoria and Tasmania
A search operation is underway for a missing light aircraft that vanished over the Bass Strait on Saturday afternoon, carrying a Tasmanian pilot in his 70s and a female passenger in her 60s.
The pair had been en route to Hillston Airport in Condobolin, New South Wales, via Leongatha, Victoria, when their bright-green two-seat plane failed to arrive.

Source: Getty Images
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed it was coordinating the search effort near Tasmania, in collaboration with Victorian and Tasmanian police. The aircraft departed George Town, Tasmania, at approximately 12.45pm on Saturday, but failed to make contact or issue a mayday alert before disappearing.
“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 12.45pm,” an AMSA spokesman said.
Experienced pilot flying recently purchased aircraft
Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark stated that the pilot was highly experienced, though the aircraft itself was relatively new to him.
“The current owner and pilot of the plane had only purchased the plane three or four months ago,” he said on Sunday. “We believe he has had several flights prior to this incident.”
Inspector Clark noted that authorities would reassess the search operation on Sunday evening, acknowledging the challenges of searching over open water.
“Any body of water is difficult to search, the main thing is though, that this is still a search operation,” he said. “We are hoping to find these people alive, that’s the main focus of the search.”
Public urged to assist in search for missing plane
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of debris or aircraft parts that may be linked to the missing plane.
“Keep a lookout for any debris or something as simple as a life jacket or some airplane parts to contact AMSA or Tasmania Police,” Inspector Clark said. “We stress that if you find some people in the water and it’s safe to do so, please render them assistance.”
The daily ferry service between Tasmania and mainland Australia was diverted to the aircraft’s last known location on Saturday, but search crews reported no sightings.
Local authorities were first alerted to the missing aircraft by concerned family members after the plane failed to reach its scheduled destination.
“The plane did not reach its destination as scheduled and authorities were notified by concerned family members that it was overdue,” a Tasmania Police spokeswoman said. “As a result, a search operation involving plane, helicopter and marine resources was activated.”

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