It is confirmed that the group are a local Christchurch group who were returning from a conference at Palmerston North. They were on a private charter.
10.45pm
Eight have been found dead, and two injured at the wreckage of the aircraft reported missing earlier this evening as it approached Christchurch Airport at 7.20pm.
The plane was an Air Adventures plane, a Christchurch company used in charter flights.
It was on a private charter to Palmerston North and return today. It involved one self contained group of nine people and the pilot.