The large scale search for a helicopter which crashed into the ocean off Port Stephens has been suspended, after the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered.
The decision to call off the search was made after the Westpac Rescue Helicopter sighted the main airframe of the helicopter around 8 kilometres south of Fingal Bay on Saturday morning.
Five people, who were onboard the chopper are now feared dead, with NSW Police leading the recovery operation.
The Bell uh-1/B205 aircraft was last seen on radar just after 6:30 on Friday evening, en route to Bankstown having earlier in the day left Coffs Harbour.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the incident.
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