Microlight pilot ‘very’ experienced

The microlight pilot, who died in a forestry block in Southland, has been described as very experienced and may have struggled to join the rest of his flying party because of foggy conditions.

The man, understood to be in his 70s and from the North Island, missed a check-in briefing at Opio at Southland on Saturday.

A CAA spokesman said a group of microlight enthusiasts met on Saturday morning in Invercargill with a planned scenic flight to Stewart Island.

There was some fog and low cloud.

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre advised police of a report of an overdue microlight just north of Nightcaps, north of Invercargill, about 12.45pm, a police statement said.

Southern Lakes Helicopter and Te Anau Police Search and Rescue reached the plane in the nearby Taringatura Forest, west of Benmore, about 4.15pm.

A man, the sole occupant of the plane, was found dead at the scene in a cleared forestry block. His body has since been recovered.

The aircraft was an Alpi ‘Pioneer’, the CAA spokesperson said.

A member of the flying group believed the foggy conditions may have meant he went a wrong turn in a valley, the man said. ‘‘He was a very experienced pilot,’’ the member of the party said.

Anyone who may have seen or heard a plane in the Benmore area on Saturday was asked to contact Alun Griffiths at Invercargill Police on (03) 211 0400.