SYDNEY, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched a transport safety investigation after a missing helicopter was located off the eastern coast of New South Wales (NSW) on Saturday.
At about 8:50 a.m. local time on Thursday, a Robinson R66 single-engine turbine helicopter departed from Cessnock en route to a property at either Wallis Island near Forster, or Belmore River near Kempsey, but didn't arrive at any of the locations.
A 54-year-old male pilot was believed to be onboard with his dog. The pair still remains missing.
The ATSB confirmed in a statement that the chopper was found Saturday in waters off Yacaaba Headland near Hawks Nest.
Four investigators with expertise in aircraft operations and maintenance have been sent to the area and are carrying out a range of evidence-gathering activities, including examination of recovered components.
"Among the recovered items is the helicopter's cockpit video camera, which investigators will attempt to download and analyze at the ATSB's technical facilities in Canberra," the bureau noted.
Following reports of the accident, NSW Police Force, along with multiple rescue and emergency services, also commenced an extensive land and sea search around the Port Stephens area. ■
