Qld: Search for missing plane continues

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2004
Qld: Search for missing plane continues

BRISBANE, Aug 18 AAP - Police will use special sonar equipment to try to locate the
sunken fuselage of a light plane that crashed off Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

Pilot Barry Coventon is believed dead after his plane crashed into the sea shortly
after passing over his home at Kawana Waters.

Mr Coventon, 54, was flying from Cobar in western NSW to Caloundra and had just buzzed
his house to let his family know he was back when the crash occurred.

Efforts by divers to locate the fuselage, which was believed to have sunk in 20 metres
of water, have been unsuccessful.

A police spokeswoman said the sonar gear would be used today to try to locate the wreckage.

A wheel of the aircraft was found washed up on Marcoola Beach yesterday, several kilometres
from the crash area.

In a separate search, a helicopter and several vessels will today begin looking for
a fishing boat that has been reported overdue.

Police said the vessel had been due back at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast at 2pm
(AEST) yesterday.

AAP jfs/rgr

KEYWORD: PLANE DAYLEAD

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