FAMILY and friends of the young pilot killed in yesterday's plane crash on the outskirts of Tamworth were last night trying to come to terms with the tragic accident.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 24-year-old had recently married and his wife, who is understood to have family in Tamworth, arrived at the offices of the charter firm he flew for shortly after being told he had died.
His twin engine Cessna 310R crashed shortly after take-off from Tamworth Airport, and exploded on impact in a nearby paddock.
The pilot, who worked for charter operators Country Capital Flight Centre, was the only person in the plane.
Distraught boss Bill Bryant said: "The young man was a pilot with us and had been here for about five or six years.
"He learned here and had been flying with us since then. I'm just not able to talk at the moment. I can't believe it."
A multiple emergency response situation was launched at about 1.30pm when the control tower received information about the crash and reports of the burning wreckage started coming in from nearby property owners.
Inspector Peter Smith from Tamworth Police said the pilot had alerted air traffic controllers he had problems with his instruments before the crash.
"Basically, just prior to [the accident] the pilot had made contact with the tower saying that he was having problems with his controls, but that's about all we've got."
Emergency crews raced to the cleared paddock where the plane came down just off New Winton Rd and found a scorched trail of grass leading to the charred and smouldering remains of the aircraft.
Police, ambulance and crews from the Rural Fire Service, Tamworth-based NSW Fire Brigades and one based at the airport attended the crash scene followed by the NSW Fire Brigade HAZMAT unit and other emergency personnel.
It is understood the aircraft, which is believed to be owned by Crane Air Pty Ltd in Sydney, had just had maintenance completed on it in Tamworth and was being flown down to Scone when the crash happened.
Mr Bryant said he couldn't understand how the tragedy happened because the plane had been checked over during maintenance prior to the crash.
An investigation team from the Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was due to arrive in Tamworth last night and will begin working at the accident site today.
ATSB air safety investigation deputy director Alan Stray said the team of investigators would include experienced aircraft engineers, pilots and maintenance workers.
"Their job is to investigate the crash site and speak to any witnesses who may have seen the aircraft crash or who arrived immediately after," Mr Stray said.
"The investigation may take some time but the team will know more when they arrive at the site."
A Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) spokesman said they would not investigate the crash unless they were called upon by the ATSB.
The pilot's name is not expected to be released until later today.
