The body of a man has been located following a search for a missing plane in Central Otago.

The plane was flying between Bannockburn and Gore when an emergency beacon was activated around 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The aircraft was found about 4am on Old Man Range near Alexandra by search and rescue volunteers.

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The sole occupant was dead at the scene and teams are working to recover the body.

Police paid tribute to the "tireless work" of Wakatipu and Central Otago Search and Rescue volunteers and Otago Helicopters staff who had searched throughout the night.

UPDATE 9/2/21: Police have released the name of the man who died following the light aircraft crash near Old Man Range, Central Otago, on Wednesday 3 February. He was Phillip Gordon Pullar, 62, of Central Otago. His death has been referred to the coroner.

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