Plane has crashed near Nelson - police

A plane has crashed near Nelson, police say.

“Emergency services are responding to an aircraft crash, south of Castor Peak in Nelson. Police were notified of a plane that had been overdue just before midday and were on standby as Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre managed a search response”, Nelson area commander Steven Collins said.

“At this time, no further information is available. An update will be provided as soon as we are able.”

Rescuers were earlier searching for an overdue aircraft near Nelson.

The light aircraft left Nelson about 9.10am today and was last known to be northeast of Nelson, a Maritime NZ Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ) spokesperson said.

“RCCNZ is co-ordinating a search operation for an overdue light aircraft ... two rescue helicopters out of Nelson and Wellington are responding.

“They will be searching the area it was last known to be in, northeast of Nelson.”

Stuff reported the plane is a privately-owned Cessna 172P with the tail number ZK-BFQ, an aircraft which can carry up to four people.

According to flightradar24, it got to an altitude of 944 metres before dropping to about 550m in 90 seconds.

The search appeared to be focused in an area of the Bryant Range, just inside the Nelson side of the boundary between Nelson and Marlborough regions, according to flight tracker flightradar24.

A Garden City Helicopters Aviation helicopter is part of the search for an overdue light aircraft northeast of Nelson today. Image / flightradar24

A rescue effort in relation to an overdue aircraft is currently underway northeast of Nelson. Image / Google Maps

A range of partner agencies were supporting the search, the RCCNZ spokesperson said.

Police confirmed they were involved.

Helicopters are involved in the search for the overdue plane, focussing on an area of the Bryant Range northeast of Nelson. Image / flightradar24

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said they’d been told of the search but were not presently needed.