Search for missing plane in Antarctica

A search is underway for a missing plan carrying three Canadian men, reported missing on a flight from the South Pole to the Italian base in Terra Nova Bay.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is coordinating the search after the Twin Otter aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter was activated at around 10pm last night (Wednesday, 23 January).

The beacon is transmitting from the Northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range, within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Region.

Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Mike Roberts said United States authorities at McMurdo were asked for assistance, and an Air National Guard C130 aircraft flew to the position but was unable to sight the downed aircraft.

A second Twin Otter is scheduled to take off at around 8am (NZ Time) from McMurdo Station and will fly over the area, and will aim to establish a forward base approximately 50km from the site, which is in a mountainous area.

A Scott Base helicopter is setting off with the Twin Otter, and will refuel en route.

A joint New Zealand and US field rescue team will attempt to reach the site by helicopter when conditions improve.

Weather conditions are currently poor, with total cloud cover and increasing winds.

ENDS

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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