Body found in search for mustering pilot

Search crews looking for an experienced pilot who went missing last night have found his body in the wreckage of his kit-built helicopter.

At 3.20pm this afternoon police and rescue personal located the wreckage of 62-year-old Ross McDowell’s helicopter approximately 11km north of Roy Hill Station in remote bushland in the Pilbara.

It is believed the discovery was made on the last helicopter search flight of the day by two police officers and a mustering pilot, with a other helicopter containing locals who knew Mr McDowell landing at the scene shortly afterwards.

Mr McDowell failed to arrive at Roy Hill Station in Nullagine after departing from Indee Station near South Hedland at 4.00pm yesterday.

The experienced pilot did not issue a distress call.

A police spokesman said officers would now work with the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau to investigate the cause of the crash and prepare a report for the coroner.

Mr McDowell’s family have been notified of the discovery.