Search continues for missing plane and pilot

A Cessna 152, similar to the one pictured, has gone missing during a flight from Auckland to New Plymouth. Photo / BOP Times

A helicopter is on its way back to search dense bush near Te Kuiti for a missing pilot and his plane.

The Rescue Coordination Centre received a beacon distress signal about 7.30pm from a Cessna 152 with one man onboard.

The plane had been flying from Auckland's North Shore to New Plymouth.

The pilot reported in with Airways at 6.50pm saying he was over Raglan and expected to arrive in New Plymouth by 7.50pm, RCC spokeswoman Sarah Brazil told NZPA.

The beacon signal was received from the ground 35km west of Te Kuiti 40 minutes later.

A Hamilton based search and rescue helicopter was called in but had trouble locating the beacon because of low cloud, difficult terrain and poor weather, Ms Brazil said.

The helicopter refuelled and returned to the search about 10.40pm.

The weather was cloudy and raining with tornadoes and thunder storms forecast for the area, Ms Brazil said.

If a ground search was needed it would not likely enter the bush until the morning, she said.

The Cessna had a radio onboard but no one has heard from the pilot since the distress signal was set off.

The pilot was a member of the New Plymouth aero club and was believed to hold a commercial licence and be completing instructor training.

- NZPA