Search for missing plane in southern lake ends with no answers

Police have finished searching a South Westland lake for a plane that disappeared almost 50 years ago with seven people on board, but say nothing was found that warranted further investigation.

The aircraft - ZK-EBU - went missing in 1978 during a chartered scenic flight from Dunedin through Queenstown, Milford Sound and Preservation Inlet.

Last contact with the plane was made while it was flying through Milford Sound.

The seven people on board included pilot Edward Morrison and passengers David Hogg and Earl, Elizabeth, David, Alec and Rosemary Eliza Stuart.

Navy, police and coastguard crews have scoured Lake Moeraki north of Haast for the past two days, following a possible sighting of the plane.

Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood said sonar and divers were used to assess the lake bed, but nothing useful was found.

He said the outcome was disappointing for families after a difficult and emotional few days.