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Light plane carrying single pilot crashes over southern NSW

A man in his 60s is believed to be the pilot and sole occupant of the small recreational aircraft.

A light plane has crashed after going missing over southern NSW.

A distress beacon — an emergency signal that alerts authorities when a plane is in trouble — was sent out from the aircraft over Budawang National Park about 4.30pm on Thursday.

A man in his 60s is believed to be the pilot and sole occupant of the small recreational aircraft.

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Wreckage has since been spotted near Ulladulla on the south coast of NSW.

“AMSA has tasked its Essendon-based Challenger Jet and NSW Toll Ambulance RSCU209 helicopter from Canberra to assist,” an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokesperson said.

The plane is believed to have been on a training exercise with Bankstown Flying School.

It took off from Bankstown Airport in Sydney about 11am and flew to Mallacoota in eastern Victoria.

It went missing on the return journey to Sydney.

NSW Police said they launched a multi-agency search with support from the AMSA, NSW Toll Ambulance helicopter, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance, before the crash site was located from the air.

“Emergency services are currently working to locate the crash site on foot, as the terrain cannot be accessed by vehicle or aircraft due to difficult terrain and weather conditions,” police said.

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