Man found dead almost 24 hours after plane crashes over Budawang National Park

A man's body has been recovered almost 24 hours after a plane crashedover a national park.

At around 4.30pm local time on Thursday September 18 emergency services were called to Budawang National Park in Australia following reports an aircraft Emergency Location Transmitter had activated. A multi-agency search was launched following reports a person could be missing or injured following the plane crash.

Due to the difficulties getting to the location it took almost 24 hours for search and rescue personnel to recover the body of what is believed to be a 60-year-old man.

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New South Wales Police Force(NSW Police), the law enforcement agency of the state of New South Wales in Australia, released a statement following the recovery of the pilot's body.

A NSW police statement read: "A body has been recovered after a search and rescue operation following a plane crash in the state’s south yesterday.

"About 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday 18 September 2024), emergency services were called to Budawang National Park – about 25km north of Batemans Bay – following reports an aircraft Emergency Location Transmitter had activated.

"Police have been told the small recreational aircraft left Bankstown earlier in the day with a single occupant and was in the process of returning to the airport. Police commenced a multi-agency search, with assistance from Australian Maritime Safety Authority, NSW Toll Ambulance Helicopter, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service and NSW Ambulance.

"About 5.30pm yesterday, the crash site was located from the air. Due to the terrain and weather conditions, emergency services were unable to access the crash site by vehicle or on foot.

"About 2pm today (Friday 19 September 2025), a body – believed to be a 60-year-old man – was located at the site, and a recovery operation has concluded with assistance from PolAir and Police Rescue. The man is yet to be formally identified.

"An investigation into the cause of the crash will be undertaken by the Australian Transport Bureau (ATSB)."