Irrigation pilot dies in NSW crash

A 44-year-old male pilot has died in a light aircraft crash near Bathurst in regional NSW.

The pilot failed to return to the Upper Turon airfield after taking off at 2pm on Friday, with air and ground crews searching for the plane until 11pm, police say.

The search resumed at first light on Saturday and police say the irrigation plane was found with the pilot's body inside about 8.30am, in bushland in the Upper Turon area.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner and investigations into the crash are continuing.