Search underway for missing NT pilot Mike Harding from Gorrie Station

The family of a well-known NT cattle station owner and pilot has spoken out as a search continues for him and his chopper.

The family of missing cattleman and pilot Mike Harding have thanked the community for rallying around them as a desperate search continues for his missing chopper.

Rescuers have been searching for the 59-year-old helicopter pilot in the Elsey region, about 150km south of Katherine since Thursday evening.

On Thursday afternoon Mr Harding, of Gorrie Station near Mataranka, contacted the station informing them of his intent to land.

But he and his Robinson R22 helicopter did not arrive and their whereabouts are currently unknown.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority Joint Rescue Coordination Centre contacted Northern Territory Police and instigated a search for the missing pilot and aircraft.

Concern is mounting for the welfare of Mr Harding, a pastoralist, who has owned and operated Gorrie Station, an 800 square kilometre cattle property, with his wife Helen and family for the past 36 years.

Mr Harding’s daughter, Kate Nelder, told NT News her family was yet to receive an update.

“I guess we just keep thinking every hour he is going to show up and he just hasn’t yet,” she said.

“But everyone in all areas are showing up in full force, we’ve got so many helicopters in the air - local pilots, as well as those essential rescue people from AMSA and Darwin.

“There’s so many community locals who have shown up to help - people on quad bikes and people focused on finding him.”

Ms Nelder, 27, said she wanted to thank the community for their support.

“We’ve received so many messages and phone calls and we appreciate it,” she said.
“Dad was well known and really loved and that’s becoming really obvious - we always knew - but just a big thank you to everyone sending their support.”

An AMSA spokesperson said the authority was coordinating the search for Mr Harding’s missing helicopter, about 124km south east of Katherine.

He was the only person on board the aircraft.

“The helicopter was reported missing at 7.30pm (NT time) last night (December 7), after the Robinson 22 failed to arrive at Gorrie Station,” the spokesperson said.

“AMSA’s Perth-based Challenger rescue aircraft continued the aerial search of the area this morning, with the Cairns-based Challenger rescue aircraft returning to the search area this afternoon.

“Also assisting is a search and rescue helicopter from Robertson Barracks in Darwin and a RAAF helicopter based in Tindal.

“Also assisting with the search are two local private helicopter operators. Northern Territory Police are conducting a ground search of the area.”

Originally published as Search underway for missing NT pilot Mike Harding from Gorrie Station