Central Otago fatal plane crash pilot named
4 Feb, 2021 03:24 AM
2 minutes to read
The pilot who died in a small plane crash yesterday has been identified as Southland farmer Phillip Gordon Pullar.
The body of 62-year-old Pullar was recovered from the Cessna 172 wreckage by a search and rescue team on Old Man Range, near Alexandra, today.
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Pullar was the only person on board as he flew between Bannockburn and Gore.
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Police confirmed the body of a man was found after the aircraft was located about 3.40am today.
It s understood that rescuers stayed with the wreckage through the night.
Man s body recovered following search for missing light aircraft in central Otago stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Man dead as missing plane located in Central Otago
The body of a man has been located following a search for a missing plane in Central Otago.
The Cessna 172 was flying between Bannockburn and Gore when an emergency beacon was activated around 5.30pm on Wednesday.
The aircraft was found about 4am on Old Man Range near Alexandra by search and rescue volunteers.
The pilot occupant was dead at the scene and teams were working to recover the body.
Wakatipu and Central Otago Search and Rescue volunteers and Otago Rescue Helicopter staff carried out the search.
Rescue Coordination Centre search and rescue officer Geoff Lunt said the Queenstown-based helicopter crew identified the area by the distress beacon signal but due to heavy, low cloud could not get close. Ground crews went in with thermal imaging equipment and a portable device to home in on the beacon signal.