Rescuers have found the wreckage of an aircraft that went missing in Antarctica, with officials describing the crash on the steep mountainside as "not survivable".

Helicopter crews will attempt to access the wreckage today.

Three Canadians were on board the twin-engine plane operated by Calgary-based Kenn Borek Air.

The aircraft was flying between stations at the South Pole and Terra Nova Bay on Wednesday when its emergency locator beacon was activated.

Wind, snow and low cloud have hampered the New Zealand-led search for the plane and its crew.

Helicopters were able to fly over the site yesterday and spotted the wreckage near the summit of Mount Elizabeth.

Searchers say it appears the plane flew directly into the snow and ice-covered peak.

They say no-one could have survived the crash.

Tracy Brickles, from the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, said it was a sad end to the rescue effort.

"It has been a difficult operation in challenging conditions but we remained hopeful of a positive result," she said.

"Our thoughts are now with the families of the crewmen."

ABC/AFP