Light plane crashes in southern NSW after leaving Bankstown Airport

A light plane has crashed in the state’s south after leaving Bankstown Airport on Thursday morning and a multi-agency search located the wreckage.

The pilot, a man believed to be in his 60s, sent a distress signal from the aircraft while travelling over the Budawang National Park between Batemans Bay and Canberra.

The light plane crashed in the Budawang National Park on its return to Bankstown Airport. Credit: FlightRadar24

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and NSW Toll Ambulance helicopter launched a search for the aircraft.

NSW Ambulance confirmed its helicopter located the wreckage in the Budawang National Park just before 5pm. Police said emergency services are now attempting to reach the crash site on foot as it “cannot be accessed by vehicle or aircraft due to difficul