Search for missing plane

SEARCH teams were slogging through rugged Central Otago terrain late last night looking for a missing pilot and plane.

An emergency beacon went off at 5.30pm, the signal coming from an area between the Old Man Range and the Garvie Range.

The missing aircraft, a Cessna 172, was believed to be travelling between Bannockburn and Gore.

‘‘Although unable to locate the aircraft, a helicopter crew spent a number of hours earlier today on scene and searching,’’ a Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman said last night.

‘‘They were able to confirm and narrow the location to within 34km, before being forced to return to base due the weather conditions.’’

Ground crews then went in to the area.