Post by Imbannedeverywhere on Aug 24, 2015 1:07:05 GMT
A pilot and his passenger missing overnight after failing to reach Taranaki yesterday have been found alive.
The Zenith 601XL aircraft, with a man and woman on board, left Whitianga in the afternoon and hadn't been heard from since it made a radio call to the New Plymouth control tower at about 4pm.
A four hour search yesterday failed to pick up any signs of the plane which had reported poor weather conditions in one of its last radio transmissions.
It has been an excellent effort in difficult terrain and weather conditions"
- Search and rescue mission coordinator Chris Henshaw
The wreckage of the light aircraft was discovered 8km west of Whangamomona by the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter.
The survivors were winched aboard and are on their way to New Plymouth Hospital.
The Zenith 601XL aircraft, with a man and woman on board, left Whitianga in the afternoon and hadn't been heard from since it made a radio call to the New Plymouth control tower at about 4pm.
A four hour search yesterday failed to pick up any signs of the plane which had reported poor weather conditions in one of its last radio transmissions.
It has been an excellent effort in difficult terrain and weather conditions"
- Search and rescue mission coordinator Chris Henshaw
The wreckage of the light aircraft was discovered 8km west of Whangamomona by the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter.
The survivors were winched aboard and are on their way to New Plymouth Hospital.
