The body of a man has been located, two days after a helicopter crashed in remote terrain in north-east New South Wales.
Police say the helicopter left the Gold Coast at 9am on Friday.
At 8pm, police received reports the helicopter had failed to arrive at its destination in Mudgee.
After a multi-agency search, the aircraft was located at 2pm yesterday in “dense bushland” north of Drake, in the Tenterfield area.Â
Police say the helicopter was found in “dense bushland” north of Drake. (ABC News)
NSW Police have confirmed a body, which is yet to be identified but believed to be that of the pilot, had been found, almost 24 hours after the helicopter was located.
“About 1pm today, police located a body believed to be that of the 77-year-old pilot,” it said.
“A recovery operation is currently underway with the assistance of PolAir and Police Rescue.”
The ABC understands the pilot was the only occupant of the aircraft.
Investigation underway
Earlier, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said safety investigators from Brisbane and Canberra would examine the wreckage.
“Over coming days, they will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities including site survey, wreckage examination, and retrieval of relevant components for further examination and analysis at the ATSB’s Canberra technical facilities,” a spokesperson said.
“As well as onsite activities, investigators will also interview involved parties and any witnesses, obtain pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and collect any available recorded flight tracking data as well as weather information.”
Police and the ATSB have confirmed the aircraft involved was a Robinson R44 helicopter.