A joint search team of police and military officers has located the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of an instructor and trainee pilot on Fiji’s second largest island of Vanua Levu.
The plane belonging to Pacific Flying School went missing on Monday afternoon while on a training exercise.
The wreckage and bodies were found Wednesday afternoon in rugged terrain near Delaikoro Mountain not far from Labasa Airport.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu says the efforts currently being coordinated through the Search and Rescue Command Centre will now focus on securing the crash site for the arrival of the appointed New Zealand‑based Air Accident Investigator.
Fijivillage reports the Director CID will be overseeing the first phase of investigations and forensics and Force pathologist will be deployed to the site.
The news of the discovery has been relayed to the family of the victims as the focus shifts to the investigation into the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident.
Pacific Flying School says it is unable to speculate on the cause of the accident but a full investigation will be carried out and details will be released at the appropriate time.