Plane from Murwillumbah disappears off radar after failing to arrive in Taree

An airplane which left a northern NSW airport early this morning before it “faded off the radar” could be occupied by a father and son from the Gold Coast

The Westpac Rescue helicopter is searching for the plane

THE search for a plane that faded off the radar west of Coffs Harbour after leaving northern NSW has been suspended overnight.

It’s understood the plane could be occupied by a father and son from the Gold Coast, with the search to resume once again at first light.

Authorities today conducted ground and aerial searches for the Mooney M20 four-seater plane VH-DJU, however the search was suspended by Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Australian Maritime Safety Authority pilots about 6pm this evening.

It’s understood the light aircraft took off from Murwillumbah at 6.30am and was scheduled to arrive in Taree at 8.30am.

However, the plane never arrived and the last contact with the pilot occurred at 7.30am.

The plane disappeared west of Coffs Harbour, with the search for the plane focused on an area about 27km inland, close to Dorrigo and Never Never, a rugged, mountainous area.

Crews scouring the area for the missing Mooney M20. Picture: Westpac Rescue Helicopter

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The owner of the plane is a north coast businessman who bought it in July from a Perth pilot. The man is a pilot himself but he is not “instrument rated” so he cannot fly in bad weather.

One of his employees is a fully-qualified pilot and was going to fly the plane for him.

It is not known if either of the men were on board but a source said there were two people on the plane and they were believed to be a father and son.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter media liaison officer Jimmy Keough said their helicopter had been searching for the missing plane with a critical care paramedic on board.

Their efforts were hampered by weather conditions and low clouds.

Authorities say they did not sight the plane during their search.

A crew member searching for the plane in bad weather. Picture: Westpac Rescue Helicopter

A spokeswoman for Tweed Byron Police confirmed the plane “faded off the radar”

“Police are responding to reports of a missing aircraft just west of Coffs Harbour about 11.45am,” she said.

“The last communication was about 7.30am this morning.

“Murwillumbah to Taree is the flight path it’s believed they were on.

“There’s reports of two people (onboard).”

The spokeswoman said police were working alongside AMSA to locate the plane.

“We’re just trying to scour through the area. It’s a ground and aerial search,” she said.

“It’s bushland, it’s remote, it’s hard terrain.”