Faisal Mahmud
03 November 2026•Update: 03 November 2026
Two people were killed when a small aircraft crashed in a remote area near Nelson on New Zealand’s South Island on Tuesday, police confirmed.
In an official statement, Nelson Area Commander Steven Collins said the wreckage was discovered south of Castor Peak following a search for the missing aircraft.
Police were notified shortly before midday local time (2300GMT Monday) that the aircraft was overdue, prompting a search coordinated by Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre.
The wreckage was subsequently located in rugged terrain, with authorities confirming that two people had died in the crash.
Police said recovery operations were underway and investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority would examine the crash scene to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The identities of the victims have not been released, and authorities have yet to establish what caused the crash.
Earlier, Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the aircraft, identified as a Cessna, had departed Nelson Airport at approximately 9.10 am local time (2010GMT Monday) before disappearing from radar northeast of the city.
Smith said the community was anxiously awaiting information about the missing plane.
New Zealand authorities have not disclosed whether weather conditions or mechanical problems contributed to the crash.
The incident comes as aviation authorities continue efforts to improve flight safety across New Zealand’s mountainous terrain, where remote locations can complicate search and rescue operations.