Air safety investigators are probing the cause of a light plane’s crash in a New South Wales national park as a search continues for the pilot.

Emergency services resumed their efforts on Friday morning, hindered by poor weather and difficult terrain.

The crashed Cirrus SR20 took off from Bankstown Airport in Sydney’s south-west on Thursday and was on its way back when an emergency location transmitter was activated about 4.30pm.

The wreckage was spotted from the air in the Budawang National Park, about 25km north of Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast at about 5.30pm.

The crash site could not be accessed by vehicle or on foot, NSW Police said.

Budawang National Park is declared a wilderness area, with hiking, river camping, swimming and scenic views for advanced, well-equipped travellers.

The pilot is believed to have been the only person on board the plane, which comes in four- or five-seat configurations.

The Cirrus SR20, first manufactured in 1999, is notable for being equipped with a “whole-plane” parachute system.

It is not yet clear if the crashed plane deployed a parachute before hitting the ground.

Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are also en route to examine the wreckage.

Any components required for examination will be taken to technical facilities in Canberra.

Flight tracking data, weather information, pilot and maintenance records will also be collected, the bureau said.

A report on the investigation’s findings will be released when it concludes, but any critical safety issues will be immediately notified.

–AAP