April 20, 2015
The search for a missing light aircraft which took off from Gympie on Saturday morning has entered its third day with still no sign of the plane.
Five planes – including two of AMSA’s dedicated search and rescue Dornier fixed wing aircraft – and 12 helicopters are now scouring the presumed flightpath of the single-engine Jabiru, covering an area of 6200sq km.
The search is being co-ordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Pilot Rob Pavan took off from Gympie Airport about 9:30am on Saturday.
AMSA was alerted when he failed to arrive at his destination, Balantree Station near the small town of Dixalea, 87km west of Gladstone.
A text message from Mr Pavan sent in-flight is believed to be the last communication anyone had with the pilot.
A search began at 4:15pm Saturday and is concentrated in an area north-west of Gympie and south-west of Monto.
RACQ CareFlight’s Bundaberg-based helicopter and Gladstone-based aircraft joined the search this morning, along with two more CareFlight choppers expected later in the day.
Fellow pilot Col Edwards told ABC Radio this morning that he had flown the same route many times.
However, he suggested poor weather on Saturday may have forced Mr Pavan to take a different path.
“The route does traverse some fairly high country, particularly as it goes north,” he said.
“In all likelihood he probably wouldn’t have taken the direct route, he would diverted to lower country to get under the cloud that was prevalent at the time.”
Anyone who observed a light plane operating to the north-west of Gympie between about 9:30am and 11:20am on Saturday (April 18) should contact AMSA Search and Rescue on 1800-815-257.
(Photo: RACQ CareFlight)
