Tasmanian police hold \u201cgrave concerns\u201d for a couple in a light plane missing three days after taking off from the state\u2019s north.<\/p>\n
Gregory Vaughan, 72, and his partner, Kim Worner, 66, were flying with their pet dog in the twin-seater plane that departed George Town airport on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Family members raised the alarm about 5pm on Saturday when the Bristell S-LSA, painted in a distinctive green, failed to arrive at its destination.<\/p>\n
The aircraft took off about 12.45pm and was headed to Hillston Airport in central western New South Wales, via Leongatha in Victoria\u2019s south east.<\/p>\n
The two-seater Bristell S-LSA Vaughn and Worner were travelling in. Photograph: Tasmania Police<\/p>\n
What happened to the plane remains unknown. No distress signal or contact was received, police said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two people on the plane have not been in contact with anyone, or aviation authorities, since they left George Town,\u201d Insp Nick Clark said.<\/p>\n
Challenging weather had hampered search efforts that had continued on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Vaughn and Worner\u2019s planned flight path. Composite: Guardian Australia<\/p>\n
A helicopter was patrolling the northern coastline between George Town and Turners Beach.<\/p>\n
Sign up: AU Breaking News email<\/a><\/p>\n Clark said due to rough conditions, boats were unable to begin searching on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Since Saturday, extensive search efforts have involved a Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) search airplane and Tasmania police helicopter resources and marine vessels. The search has focused along Tasmania\u2019s northern coastline and Bass Strait.<\/p>\n Tasmania police northern commander Marco Ghedini said: \u201cAs we enter the fourth day of searching, police hold grave concerns for the missing couple, however we maintain hope as the operation continues.\u201d<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up to Breaking News Australia<\/p>\n Get the most important news as it breaks<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/a>. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy<\/a> and Terms of Service<\/a> apply.<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n The area of northern Tasmania\u2019s coast being searched by helicopter. Composite: Guardian Australia<\/p>\n \u201cFurther assessment in relation to the ongoing search will be made in the coming days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The Tasmanian premier, Jeremy Rockliff, also expressed concern for Vaughan and Worner.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand that there are grave fears for the missing couple and their dog,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope and pray for the most positive outcome possible. Our thoughts are with them, their family, friends and loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n A spokesperson for AMSA said it had handed search coordination for the missing aircraft to police on Monday night.<\/p>\n The Australian Transport<\/a> Safety Bureau (ATSB) are deferring enquiries to the police while the search continues.<\/p>\n