The search for a light aircraft that disappeared from Tasmania’s north one month ago is continuing, with police and community members still hoping for a breakthrough.
Gregory Vaughan, Kim Worner and their dog Molly took off from George Town airport on August 2 and have not been heard from since, sparking an extensive search operation.
Tasmania Police said the search has not been officially suspended and urged anyone with information to come forward.
David Brewster, President of the George Town Airport Association, described the emotional impact of losing his friends.
“It’s been very tough, probably compounded by the fact that the plane that Greg, Kim and Molly were in has some sister aircraft in the Tamar Valley as well,” Brewster told ABC Northern Tasmania.
And I think that the people that are flying those same aircraft, they were also a tight community.”
Local pilots began searching before official operations commenced, with several association members still actively looking for the missing aircraft.
“There are a couple of sites that have sort of popped up as likely candidates. But at this stage, nothing at all has been found, unfortunately,” he said.
Brewster said Vaughan had a reputation as a careful pilot, suggesting something went wrong early in the journey.
“He was very careful in the way he flew and how he flew and when he flew.”
“For something to have brought him unstuck, we believe that it probably happened very early on in the flight because there were no radio communications from him.”
He said the search is now focused on two potential areas – within about 20 miles of George Town and anomalies detected by satellite imagery approximately halfway across Bass Strait.
Searchers are considering using sonar technology to examine the seafloor, particularly in areas already mapped for underwater cables and gas pipelines, where anomalies would be easier to detect.
Brewster praised the ongoing support from Tasmania Police throughout the ordeal.
“The police have gone out of their way to provide us with information and assistance where they can, which has been really heartening,” he said.
