Police investigating a plane crash in the Gulf of Carpentaria have confirmed “no aircraft wreckage or persons have been located” yet, despite hours-long search efforts.
In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, NT Police said they were continuing “a search operation following reports of a small aircraft crash” in Angurugu waters, off the coast of Groote Eylandt.
Police said around 11:40am today, a witness onboard “a vessel in the area” reported the “aircraft had crashed into the water near Isle Woodah”.
Authorities are still “working to confirm the circumstances of the crash and the number of people involved”, but NT Police said, “initial information indicates the pilot was the only recorded occupant of the aircraft”.
“However, police are continuing to confirm the number of people on board,” the statement said.
Search efforts are continuing, but police said: “At this stage, no aircraft wreckage or persons have been located.”
“The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified, and police are working closely with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (ASMA) to confirm the circumstances of the crash.”
Earlier this afternoon, an online flight tracker showed an AMSA search and rescue jet circling an area over the Groote Eylandt coast.
The authority declined the opportunity to respond to questions, except to tell the ABC that NT Police was leading investigations.