A small aircraft carrying two passengers and their dog vanished without a trace over Bass Strait on August 2, 2025, sparking an extensive multi-agency search operation that has drawn unsettling comparisons to aviation mysteries of the past.
Gregory Vaughan, 72, and his partner Kim Worner, 66, of Deloraine departed from George Town Airport in northern Tasmania at approximately 12:45 p.m. Saturday in a distinctive green two-seater Bristell S-LSA aircraft. Their dog Molly accompanied them on what was planned as a routine flight to central New South Wales.
The aircraft was scheduled to make a fuel stop at Leongatha in Victoria’s southeast before continuing to Hillston Airport, west of Condobolin in New South Wales. However, the plane never arrived at its first destination, prompting family members to raise the alarm around 5 p.m. when the travelers failed to reach their final stop.
Tasmania Police Commander Marco Ghedini confirmed that no distress call was made from the aircraft before it disappeared. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority coordinated search efforts across northern Tasmania, Bass Strait, and southern Victoria using helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and marine vessels.
Inspector Nick Clark revealed that Vaughan was an experienced pilot closely involved with the George Town Aeroclub, but noted the aircraft was relatively new to him, having been purchased just three to four months before the incident. Clark indicated that “we believe he has had several flights prior to this incident.”
The disappearance raised immediate questions about aviation protocols over the treacherous stretch of water. George Town flight instructor Eugene Reid explained that pilots are required to perform scheduled reporting when crossing Bass Strait, particularly when leaving the coast to contact air services. However, authorities confirmed that Vaughan made no contact with aviation authorities during the flight.
The aircraft was equipped with an emergency satellite beacon designed to activate automatically in distress situations, but no signal was detected. This absence of any emergency transmission has deepened the mystery surrounding the disappearance, as modern safety protocols typically ensure some form of communication during aviation emergencies.
Search operations initially involved the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Challenger jet, Tasmania Police helicopter, and marine resources. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry was temporarily diverted to assist in the search efforts. Despite extensive coverage of the northern Tasmanian coastline between George Town and Turners Beach, no wreckage or debris has been located.
Weather conditions hampered search efforts on several days following the disappearance. Low clouds and rough seas grounded water-based operations and limited visibility for aerial searches. Tasmania Police Northern Commander Marco Ghedini acknowledged growing concerns as the search entered its fourth day, though authorities maintained hope for a positive outcome.
The incident occurred over the notorious Bass Strait, a 186-mile stretch of water between Tasmania and mainland Australia known for unpredictable weather patterns, powerful winds, and limited radar coverage. The region has earned comparisons to the Bermuda Triangle due to historical disappearances of aircraft and vessels.
Previous incidents in the area include the 1978 disappearance of Frederick Valentich, who vanished after reporting a UFO sighting near King Island, and the 1972 loss of Brenda Hean during a protest flight to Canberra. The freighter MV Blythe Star was lost in the strait for 12 days in 1973, despite being within search range.
Aviation experts noted that private pilots flying recreational aircraft are not required to file flight plans for most journeys or maintain constant radio contact with air traffic control. The aircraft type involved typically operates under visual flight rules, which allow greater freedom of movement but provide fewer tracking opportunities for authorities.
Vaughan, a retired engineer, and Worner, a retired nurse known for community involvement, were described by friends as inseparable companions who frequently traveled with their beloved dog. The couple had planned the trip to visit friends in New South Wales and had been preparing for the journey for some time.
Authorities urged residents and travelers across northern Tasmania and southern Victoria to remain alert for any signs of the aircraft or its occupants. Officials specifically requested reports of unusual debris, life jackets, fabric, or any suspicious objects that might provide clues about the aircraft’s fate or trajectory.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau deferred inquiries to police while search operations continued. Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff expressed concern for the missing couple and their dog, extending thoughts to their family, friends, and loved ones during the ongoing search efforts.
