Search under way for vintage plane missing off South Stradbroke Island on Gold Coast

Part of a propeller has been found on a beach as an air and sea search operation continues for a vintage plane that has been reported missing off the Gold Coast after it failed to return from a 30-minute scenic flight. (File picture)

File picture of a Yak52 plane. Picture: Alex Coppel.

A VINTAGE plane is feared to have crashed off the Gold Coast after failing to return from a 30 minute scenic flight.

The Soviet-era Yak52 aircraft, with two people on board, has been reported missing after flying over South Stradbroke Island earlier today.

The Australian Marine Safety Authority is co-ordinating a search.

After 6pm police sources confirmed that part of the propeller had been found on the beach of South Stradbroke Island.

No other signs of wreckage have been found.

“AMSA has commenced a search and rescue response for a missing light aircraft in the vicinity of Stradbroke Island, Queensland,” an AMSA spokesman said.

“Air Traffic Control contacted AMSA at about 1315hrs to report that the missing plane with two people on board had failed to return after departing Southport airfield on a 30 minute scenic flight at 10am local time.

“The aircraft is a Yak 52, a soviet era training aircraft often used for aerobatics and scenic flights.

“There has been no contact with the missing aircraft and AMSA is currently sourcing aerial assets to conduct a search along the aircraft’s most likely route.”

The plane is believed to have two people on board, a tourist and the pilot.

Gold Coast water police are in the middle of the search, with a number of boats and jet skis believed to be searching the island’s surrounds.

Aerodrome manager Steve Rance of the Southport Flying Club, where the plane took off from, said he was aware of the situation but did not have any information.

Mr Rance said all of the members of the club were private pilots, meaning the flight was not a commercial venture.