Otago plane crash: Pilot's body retrieved by rescue crew

The helicopter which transported people to the crash scene parked at Pioneer Park in Alexandra. Photo / Jared Morgan

The body of a pilot who crashed in Otago has been recovered.

A search and rescue operation was launched early yesterday evening after authorities received an emergency beacon alert from a private light aircraft near Alexandra at about 5.30pm.

Heavy fog lifted on Thursday morning meaning search crews were able to retrieve the body.

A police spokesperson said the Cessna 172 was in a remote area and thick fog and low cloud had hampered the search.

Police confirmed the body of a man was found after the aircraft was located at about 4am on Thursday.

The aircraft was found on Old Man Range, near Alexandra, by search and rescue volunteers.

Search teams in four-wheel drive cars and on motorcycles slogged through rugged central Otago terrain late last tonight in their search.

The aircraft was believed to be travelling between Bannockburn and Gore.

"We'd like to acknowledge and thank the tireless work of the Wakatipu and Central Otago Search and Rescue volunteers and Otago Helicopters staff who have worked throughout the night," police said.

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and the Civil Aviation Authority has been advised.

A search and rescue spokesman this morning told RNZ that a rescue helicopter based in Queenstown joined the search on Wednesday afternoon, and the pilot reported thick cloud in the area of the crash.

After the chopper search finished for the night, ground crews using thermal imaging equipment and homing devices continued through the night until the body was found.

The spokesman could not give any information on the pilot, or nature of the flight.

- Additional reporting Otago Daily Times