Possible crash site found for missing plane

The plane’s crew radioed air traffic controllers as it was approaching the airstrip, but the aircraft never landed, said Allen Tyson, a spokesman for Airlines PNG.

A search and rescue mission was immediately launched, Mr Tyson said.

The plane, carrying 11 passengers and two crew, had an emergency locator beacon but it was not transmitting, he said.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters in Canberra that a helicopter searching for the plane had landed in a village thought to be near a “possible crash site” today.

“I say a ’possible crash site’ because authorities, PNG Airlines and Australian officials are relying on information relayed by villagers on the ground,” Mr Smith said.

Efforts to locate the plane were being hampered by bad weather, low visibility and rugged terrain in the mountainous region.

“We hope, weather permitting, that a substantially enhanced search and rescue effort can commence tomorrow morning,” Mr Smith said.

The Kokoda Track is a popular tourist destination for Australians.

On board the plane were eight Australian tourists and an Australian tour guide planning to walk the trail as part of a trek organised by the Australian adventure tour company No Roads Expeditions, the company said in a statement.

Another guide from Papua New Guinea was also on board, the company said.

“We hold grave concerns for their safety and well-being,” Mr Smith said.

The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby was working with authorities in the Pacific island nation to determine what happened, he added.

Searchers were also checking other small airstrips in the area to see if the plane may have landed elsewhere.