A 59-year-old helicopter pilot who went missing on Thursday was found deceased among the wreckage of his Robinson R22 helicopter on Saturday afternoon, NT Police said.

The crash occurred 80km south of Mataranka “late on Thursday” police said, but they did not find the wreckage until Saturday around 5pm.

“The 59-year-old pilot had not been heard from after contacting a station in the area informing of his intent to land,” police said in a statement.

“A search effort coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) [and] Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) located the aircraft and pilot at 5pm on 9 December 2023.”

Local media reported the pilot was pastoralist Mike Harding.

NT Police said they were preparing a report for the coroner, while the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is also investigating the details of the crash.

A search had been launched for Mr Harding on Thursday night, after he had contacted Gorrie Station to notify them of his intention to land that afternoon but failed to arrive.