Wreckage Found Monday Afternoon Near Cape Liptrap

Search crews have located the wreckage of a Cessna 337 Skymaster that crashed off the coast of New South Wales, Australia Saturday, killing the four persons onboard.

As ANN reported, the search began when the accident aircraft failed to arrive at Meribula, on the far south coast of Australia, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The twin-engine aircraft left Moorabbin airport Saturday afternoon, bound for Merimbula on the NSW south coast, but failed to arrive around 1600 AEDT as planned.

The search, involving four helicopters and five planes, initially focused on the Orbost area in eastern Victoria, according to AMSA spokeswoman Tracey Jiggins.

Crews located the wreckage at sea Monday at Cape Liptrap, about 100 miles southest of Melbourne.

Debris has washed up on the beach, though the aircraft's cabin and motors are still submerged. Crews have recovered the bodies of pilot Geoff Milne and his wife, Mathilde, and passenger Debbie Graham. A search is still underway for the Milnes' son, Anthony.

"Hopefully if we find the largest section of the fuselage we may also find him," Acting Inspector Watson told the Australian Associated Press, adding the accident site is "a mess."

FMI: www.amsa.gov.au