A Canadian-operated Twin Otter plane has disappeared near the South Pole after an emergency beacon began transmitting, dpa quoted Television New Zealand as reporting Thursday. The transmission was monitored starting late Wednesday night Rescuers were unable to contact the plane and did not know the condition of the plane or its three Canadian crew members. New Zealand's search and rescue centre said the plane was on a flight from the South Pole to the Italian base in Terra Nova Bay, Radio New Zealand reported. The weather is very changeable on the continent but the Twin Otter has a 10-hour endurance and rescuers hope it may be able to return to McMurdo when the weather clears. A DC-3 has been dispatched from McMurdo with an emergency drop kit. It was unknown what kind of survival gear the men in the plane have on board.
