He was reported missing when the aircraft failed to reach its destination. 

The search effort, involving multiple agencies, faced challenges due to weather and difficult terrain; however, by yesterday evening, crews had discovered the aircraft close to its last reported position near Khancoban.

The plane was located on “snow-covered mountainous terrain in the Kosciuszko National Park, east of Khancoban,” as reported by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Riverina Police District Commander Superintendent Andrew Spliet told reporters this afternoon that it was clear from the wreckage that there had been a “significant impact” into the terrain.

“It’s fairly clear that wouldn’t be survivable,” he said.

“You wouldn’t recognise it as a plane. It’s just a significant impact. Obviously, a fair bit of speed into the mountain range there, which has completely destroyed that aircraft.”

Spliet said the identity of the pilot was still unconfirmed.

Stephens’ family issued a statement yesterday, saying he was an experienced pilot who had been flying for about 60 years.

“David loved to fly. He earned his pilot’s licence even before his driver’s licence in the 1960s,” his family said.

“Unfortunately, David disappeared on his flight home.

“It is known that the mountain weather can turn very quickly and we have to assume he must have seen a way over the mountain and decided not to turn back to Wangaratta.

“David has quite a bit of experience flying that plane, but we can’t know what situation he was facing and we’ll only have answers once they locate the plane and with that, David.”

Stephens was only two months out from retiring, and his family had been looking forward to spending time with him.