WA: Seven aircraft search for missing chopper, pilot

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2001
WA: Seven aircraft search for missing chopper, pilot

PERTH, Aug 14 AAP - Six planes and a helicopter are searching remote bushland for a
40-year-old helicopter pilot who failed to arrive at a cattle yard in northern Western
Australia.

The pilot left Polelle, south of Meekatharra, about 2.30pm (WST) yesterday for the
two-hour flight to the yard, 140km south-west of Newman.

But he failed to arrived as expected, prompting a search by the Australian Search and
Rescue organisation.

AusSAR spokesman Ben Mitchell said the man had about three hours fuel, and was carrying
ample food and water.

"He does have plenty of food and water so if there's been a forced landing and he's
OK he does have enough supplies," Mr Mitchell said.

AusSAR has six planes and a helicopter searching an 8,000 square kilometre region along
the chopper's projected flight path.

A Royal Flying Doctor Service plane flew along the path overnight looking for flares,
fires or other signals from the missing helicopter.

It also listened for radio chatter but heard nothing, Mr Mitchell said.

The chopper was equipped with a satellite distress beacon but no signal had been detected.

AAP sd/ph

KEYWORD: HELICOPTER

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