Introduction: Search Underway for Missing Light Plane and Its Passengers
A search effort is intensifying this week after a small aircraft carrying a couple and their pet dog went missing during a routine flight from Tasmania to New South Wales on Saturday. Tasmania Police have officially named the couple at the center of the growing concern, identifying them as David Willoughby, 64, and Linda Willoughby, 60, both experienced flyers who departed from Cambridge Aerodrome in Tasmania aboard their private plane.
- Introduction: Search Underway for Missing Light Plane and Its Passengers
- Flight Details and Timeline
- Who Are David and Linda Willoughby?
- Search and Rescue Operation in Progress
- A Nation Watching and Hoping
- Tasmania Police Urge Public Assistance
- Broader Context: Aviation Safety in Recreational Flights
- Conclusion: A Race Against Time
Their intended destination was a regional airstrip in northern New South Wales — but radar contact was lost less than two hours into the flight. Now, emergency services across two states are working tirelessly to locate the missing aircraft as the nation watches with growing worry.
Flight Details and Timeline
The couple took off from Cambridge Aerodrome, near Hobart, at approximately 9:45 a.m. AEST on Saturday, August 2, aboard a single-engine white Vans RV-10 aircraft — a model popular among aviation hobbyists for its range and efficiency.
According to authorities, no mayday call or distress signal was received prior to the aircraft vanishing from radar. The plane was expected to refuel at Mallacoota in Victoria but never made contact with the airport.
Search efforts were activated when the couple failed to check in at their planned stopover, and family members reported no communication since departure.
Who Are David and Linda Willoughby?
Tasmania Police officially identified the missing couple late Sunday, describing them as avid flyers, pet lovers, and long-time members of the recreational aviation community.
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David Willoughby is a retired engineer with over 20 years of private piloting experience.
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Linda Willoughby is a former schoolteacher, known for her involvement in local dog rescue organizations.
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The couple’s golden retriever, Baxter, was confirmed to be on board.
Family and friends have expressed deep concern but remain hopeful, emphasizing the couple’s preparedness and familiarity with their aircraft.
Search and Rescue Operation in Progress
Authorities from Tasmania Police, Victoria Police, NSW Police, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are coordinating a multi-agency search, deploying:
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Aerial reconnaissance using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
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Marine search vessels along possible coastal impact zones.
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Land-based teams focused on rugged terrain along the East Coast, where dense forests and poor visibility complicate efforts.
As of Tuesday morning, no wreckage has been found, but authorities have narrowed the possible search radius to a remote coastal stretch between Victoria and southern New South Wales based on last known coordinates and radar data.
A Nation Watching and Hoping
The story has sparked a national conversation — with hashtags like #MissingFlightAustralia and #FindTheWilloughbys trending on social media platforms.
Friends, fellow pilots, and dog lovers from across the country have shared messages of hope, photos of the couple, and stories of their kindness.
One post reads:
“David taught me how to fly back in 2016. Calm, precise, and never careless. Hoping he and Linda are found safe — and that Baxter’s with them too.”
The incident also reignites public concern over light aircraft safety, emergency communication systems, and the challenges of search-and-rescue operations in Australia’s rugged east coast wilderness.
Tasmania Police Urge Public Assistance
In a press conference Monday afternoon, Tasmania Police Acting Commissioner Mark Ellis confirmed the identity of the couple and urged the public to report any sightings or unusual activity along coastal or inland areas near East Gippsland, Mallacoota, or southern NSW.
“We are in active search mode and have not ruled out the possibility of a controlled or emergency landing in a remote location. Every hour counts.”
The public is reminded not to attempt independent searches in dangerous terrain but to instead contact local authorities with any relevant information.
Broader Context: Aviation Safety in Recreational Flights
The disappearance has brought renewed scrutiny to private and recreational flights across remote regions in Australia, where communication blackouts and sudden weather shifts pose significant risks — even for experienced pilots.
The Vans RV-10, though highly regarded, does not include the same black box data recorders found in commercial aircraft, making post-incident analysis more difficult unless a GPS tracker or ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) was activated.
Experts urge private flyers to:
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File detailed flight plans.
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Maintain consistent contact with air traffic controllers or regional towers.
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Consider investing in satellite communication gear when flying over remote zones.
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Conclusion: A Race Against Time
As search crews battle challenging conditions and fading daylight, the country waits anxiously for answers. The story of David and Linda Willoughby — a couple missing since Saturday on a flight from Tasmania to New South Wales with their dog — has gripped the nation not only because of its mystery, but because it reflects the fragile balance between adventure and safety in the age of private aviation.
We can only hope that the couple and their beloved dog Baxter are found safe and that answers soon follow.
If you have information or potential sightings related to the flight or the missing aircraft, please contact Tasmania Police or AMSA immediately.
