Crashed plane was on cannabis search

The two men who died in a light plane crash near Queenstown yesterday were on a cannabis reconnaissance flight.

Police have revealed that a detective from Queenstown was on board the plane, along with the pilot.

The single-engined Cessna 172 went down in good weather in the Gibbston Valley just after midday yesterday.

Police have now revealed it was on a routine reconnaissance flight, looking for plots of cannabis.

The pilot, Chris Scott, was from the Bay of Plenty.

His passenger was Detective Travis Hughes from Queenstown.

District Commander George Fraser is extending his condolences to both families, and says the tragedy has hit everyone working in the force hard.

Accident inspectors are at the scene today.

- NEWSTALK ZB