Search operations have been suspended at last light tonight and will resume at first light tomorrow.
The search began last night with two night-vision equipped helicopters. During today, nine helicopters searched the area, plus one of AMSA’s Challenger search and rescue jets. Queensland Police and emergency services have been supporting the search.
The search is still covering the area from Bundaberg to Yeppoon, but with particular focus on an area just south of Baffle Creek. This is based on an unconfirmed but credible sighting reported to AMSA by a member of the public this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning, the Challenger jet and 10 helicopters will search the area. Queensland Police will conduct a ground search of the area south of Baffle Creek.
The gyrocopter with one person on-board took off from Booyan Airstrip, 22 kilometres north of Bundaberg, at 1.45 pm yesterday on a trip to Farnborough just north of Yeppoon.
The gyrocopter would have likely been flying low and could have travelled over the towns of 1770, Agnes Waters, Tannum Sands, Gladstone, Emu Park, and Yeppoon.
AMSA is requesting that anyone who thinks they may have seen or heard a gyrocopter in the area between Bundaberg and Yeppoon between the hours of 1 pm and 6 pm yesterday (18 April) to call the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre on 1800 815 257 with any information.
Media enquiries: 1300 624 633