A small plane headed for Moruya in NSW has gone missing over the Snowy Mountains, with emergency services scrambling to locate the missing pilot.
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The aircraft, with only one person aboard, was travelling from Wangaratta in Northern Victoria, but it failed to arrive at Moruya Airport as expected.
At 4.30pm on Tuesday, July 15, Air Services Australia alerted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which began coordinating a search.
According to an AMSA spokesperson, the last known position of the missing plane was east of Khancoban, just over the border between Victoria and NSW.
With temperatures dropping below zero overnight, the alpine terrain is rugged and inaccessible, particularly with recent heavy snowfall.
While efforts to locate the plane began in earnest, the search was suspended overnight due to limited visibility. They recommenced at first light.
Alongside ASMA's Essendon-based Challenger jet, Victorian Ambulance Emergency Medical helicopter and a Toll rescue helicopter from Bankstown are conducting a search from the air.
NSW Police Alpine Operations teams, supported by the State Emergency Service and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, are conducting a ground search.
Snowy Hydro teams are also assisting in the search.
This is a developing story, and the Bay Post will continue to provide regular updates when news is at hand.
