In a tragic incident, three individuals have lost their lives following a mid-air collision between two light planes in Sydney’s south-west. New South Wales police reported that the crash occurred around 11:50 a.m. on Saturday near Belimbla Park, close to Oakdale.
Acting Superintendent Timothy Calman addressed reporters later in the afternoon, sharing that two bodies were discovered in a Cessna 182, while a third victim was found approximately one kilometer away in a Jabiru. He noted that the collision took place in uncontrolled airspace.
“The scene nearest to us was affected by fire; it was not a survivable impact,” Calman explained while referring to the Cessna 182 crash site. “The second site, about a kilometer north, did not experience a fire, but the impact was also not survivable.”
Calman emphasized that such collisions are relatively rare. Although police initially reported three deceased men, he later clarified that the gender of the two occupants in the Cessna 182 has yet to be confirmed, though they believe they have identified the pilot of the Jabiru.
According to Calman, it is believed that the Jabiru took off from the Oaks airfield, while the Cessna 182 departed from Cessnock and was en route to Wollongong. Footage from the site depicts plane wreckage in a forested area bordering cleared land.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has announced it will investigate the crash. “A team of transport safety investigators from our Canberra office, who specialize in aircraft operations and maintenance, is preparing to deploy to both accident sites to begin collecting evidence,” the ATSB stated.
In the coming days, investigators will conduct site mapping, examine the wreckage, and recover relevant components for further analysis at their technical facilities in Canberra. They will also aim to interview witnesses and involved parties, as well as gather information, including air traffic control data, flight tracking records, and weather conditions.
The ATSB plans to release a preliminary report in approximately two months, with a final report issued upon conclusion of the investigation. “If we discover any critical safety issues at any point during our investigation, we will inform relevant parties immediately so they can take necessary safety measures,” they assured.
