An extensive sea-and-air search has failed to find any sign of a missing one-man plane and its pilot.
A photo of the missing plane from TradeMe. Photo: Trade Me
The home-built aerobatic bi-plane and its 53-year-old pilot disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from Ardmore Airport, southeast of Auckland, on Tuesday morning.
The Auckland police launch and national dive squad on Thursday carried out a grid search of Wainuiototo Bay where a small oil slick was spotted on Wednesday.
A comprehensive search of the Coromandel Peninsula has also been conducted, involving a rescue helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft.
Rescue Coordination Centre spokesperson Dave Wilson says the options for further searches will be considered overnight.
