A search for a pilot reported missing in the Tweed valley has concluded with the wreckage of an ultralight plane found this morning about 25km west of Murwillumbah.
A searcher on horseback located the wreckage at 9am Thursday (May 18), on a private property on Boormans Road, Limpinwood, according to a media statement from NSW Police and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority(AMSA).
The pilot, 72-year-old Ian Synott, died at the scene.
AMSA had been co-ordinating the search after a member of the public reported an aircraft in difficulties near Limpinwood, about 10.45am Tuesday (16 May 2017).
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command confirmed Mr Synott, was piloting ultra light aircraft which had taken off from Murwillumbah Airport about 45 minutes earlier.
The search and rescue operations have been conducted in the surrounding area since then, involving up to eight helicopters, including the NSW Police airwing PolAir, the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, police on trail bikes, as well as SES volunteers on foot and searchers on horseback.
An operation is now underway to retrieve the man’s body.
His family has been informed.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been informed by AMSA and investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the crash, with police working with the relevant air safety authorities.
AMSA and NSW Police have extended their thanks to all those involved in this difficult search operation and offered their sympathies to Mr Synott’s family and friends.
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