Mystery as pilot 'didn't send mayday call' before plane vanished without trace
A search and rescue operation is underway in Australia after a private jet carrying a couple and their dog vanished shortly after take-off.
On Saturday (2 August), a two-seater aircraft is understood to have taken off from George Town on the Australian island of Tasmania and was bound for an airport in New South Wales after making a stop in Leongatha, Southern Victoria.
The aircraft was carrying the pilot, a man in his 70s, alongside his partner, a female in her 60s, and their dog.
However, the trio have not been seen or heard from since.
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The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is now investigating the disappearance of the jet, revealing that 'no distress call' was made by the pilot of the aircraft before it disappeared.
Confirming the disappearance of the plane in a statement, Tasmania Police said they were 'providing support' for the search effort.
"The plane did not reach its destination as scheduled and authorities were notified by concerned family members that it was overdue," the statement read (via ABC).
"As a result, a search operation involving plane, helicopter and marine resources was activated."
A statement from AMSA added: "Just after 5pm on Saturday evening, concern was raised after the aircraft failed to land in Central Western NSW, after departing George Town, Tasmania at around 12:45 pm."
Authorities have since revealed that the pilot didn't send out a mayday call prior to the aircraft disappearing.
According to George Town-based flight instructor Eugene Reid, aircraft travelling across the Bass Strait are required to make contact with air authorities.
"You have to do scheduled reporting," he explained to ABC. "On leaving the coast, they should have called up air services."
However, a spokesperson for AMSA has since added that it is currently unclear whether or not the plane had disappeared before it was required to make contact.
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Reid added that it was not a legal requirement to have tracking devices installed in light aircraft, just an EPIRB (emergency beacon). However, this has to be manually activated.
Search and rescue investigations are continuing, with AMSA urging anyone in the local area or travelling across the Bass Strait, between Tasmania and Australia, to 'keep a sharp lookout' for this missing plane.
Tasmania Police Inspector Nicholas Clark said the pilot was 'experienced' in aviation and had owned the 'bright green' aircraft for 'three to four' months prior to Saturday's disappearance.
The exact make and model of the plane have not been released publicly, in order to avoid identifying the couple.
LADbible has contacted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Tasmania Police for further comment.
Topics: World News, Travel, Australia
Brenna Cooper