Search resumes for pilot after Air Frontier plane crashes near Groote Eylandt

A major search is continuing on Wednesday after a small plane crashed into waters off Groote Eylandt, with police divers joining air and sea crews in the hunt for the pilot.

Northern Territory Police restarted the operation at 6.30am after it was suspended about 9pm on Tuesday following the crash near Isle Woodah, about 50km northwest of Alyangula.

The alarm was raised about 11.40am on Wednesday when a witness on board a vessel in the area reported the “aircraft had crashed into the water near Isle Woodah”.

The search now stretches across the water and sky, with police boats, ranger crews, a helicopter and a police plane involved.

Police divers have also been sent to Groote Eylandt to search the sea floor near the crash site, where they will work to locate and recover aircraft debris and other evidence that may help investigators establish what happened.

On Tuesday afternoon, charter company Air Frontier confirmed one of its Beechcraft Baron aircraft “was involved in an accident near Numbulwar” around midday.

“The aircraft was undertaking a non-commercial repositioning flight with no passengers from Gove to Numbulwar, with the pilot believed to be the sole occupant on board,” Air Frontier said in a statement.

Air Frontier said it was “deeply saddened by this accident” and its thoughts were with the pilot and their family.

“The family has been contacted, and we are supporting them as this situation unfolds,” the company said.

The company also confirmed all of its Beechcraft Baron aircraft had been grounded “as a precautionary measure”, pending advice from relevant authorities.

Search Mission Coordinator Acting Sergeant Nathan Conelius said police remained focused on locating the pilot and supporting those affected by the crash.

“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the pilot,” Sergant Conelius said.

“Our focus remains locating the pilot of the aircraft and alongside our partner agencies, we will continue search efforts.”

Originally published as Search resumes for pilot after Air Frontier plane crashes near Groote Eylandt