Search and rescue efforts are continuing for a missing plane in Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area.
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A four-person Tasmania Police ground crew will search into the night.
The team was dropped into the area by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter about 5pm on Saturday.
They will use direction-finding equipment to locate the beacon.
The crew includes three police searchers and one Ambulance Tasmania paramedic.
About 8pm on Saturday night, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokeswoman said the helicopters that were assisting were going back to base.
Airlines of Tasmania managing director Shannon Wells said weather had also hindered the search, and was believed to be a factor in the crash.
“Unfortunately the search and rescue operation was being hampered by low cloud and the area’s rough terrain and forests,” he said.
“While we have significant concerns for the welfare of the pilot involved, we also are holding onto the hope that there is still a chance the pilot survived what we presume is a crash.”
The twin-engine aircraft, and its pilot, were undertaking a routine flight on Saturday morning to pick up passengers from Melaleuca.
The aircraft is fitted with an emergency location beacon in addition to the satellite tracker.
“So we have a reasonably good idea of the location of where the aircraft was last positioned,” Mr Wells said.
“We notified Police Search and Rescue immediately and sent our own helicopter to join the search in the area.”
Airlines of Tasmania has been in regular contact with the pilot’s immediate family since the company became aware the plane was missing.
“Right now, our thoughts are very much with the pilot’s family and friends, including their colleagues here at Airlines of Tasmania,” Mr Wells said.
“The pilot has done this flight many times and the aircraft is well suited for flights into the south-west. The tracking system shows the aircraft was in the air for about 40 minutes and followed the usual route and altitude before getting into trouble over the Arthur Ranges.”
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