The wreckage of the Twin Otter aircraft missing in the
Antarctic since Wednesday night has been found.
The aircraft wreckage is located on a very steep slope, close
to the summit of Mt Elizabeth.
Rescuers say there are no signs of activity in the area
surrounding the site and the aircraft appears to have made a
direct impact that was not survivable. No details are
available on the cause of the crash.
The site of the crash is at a height of 3,900 metres at the
northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range, within New
Zealand's Search and Rescue Region - halfway between the
South Pole and McMurdo Station (approximately 680km or 370
nautical miles in each direction).
Two helicopters, including a Southern Lakes helicopter on
contract to Scott Base, reached the site at around 7.15pm (NZ
time), having travelled from McMurdo Base this afternoon to a
forward base at Beardmore Glacier, about 50km from the crash
site.
A landing was not possible, but they were able to survey the
site briefly before returning to the Beardmore Glacier site.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has
coordinated the search for the aircraft, working with United
States and Canadian authorities.
RCCNZ Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Tracy Brickles
said it was very sad end to the operation.
"It has been difficult operation in challenging conditions
but we remained hopeful of a positive result. Our thoughts
are now with the families of the crewmen."
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.