Sunday, March 30, 2014

Biplane search review continues

Officials reviewing a search for a missing biplane are identifying areas in need of a further look.
 

Officials reviewing a search for a missing home-built biplane have identified one area worth another look and are searching for more.

The biplane, with 53-year-old pilot Daroish Kraidy on board, took off from Auckland's Ardmore airfield on Tuesday morning but disappeared from radar soon after.

Search teams have been scouring parts of Coromandel Peninsula for the plane.

On Friday, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said it was reviewing the search to identify areas warranting further investigation.

A RCCNZ spokeswoman said on Sunday the review was continuing and the centre would be in a better position to say what the next steps would be on Monday.

A helicopter was sent to an area near Cuvier Island on Saturday after the review identified it as not having been adequately covered by the search.

It is possible other areas will be identified as the review continues.

An air force Iroquois helicopter searched the northern end of the Coromandel Peninsula on Friday.

The missing plane was heading northeast when it disappeared shortly after take-off about 11.30am on Tuesday.

Mr Kraidy has lived in New Zealand for several years and has represented New Zealand at the Precision Flying World Championships.


Source:    http://home.nzcity.co.nz