A tragic mid-air collision involving two light aircraft occurred near Wedderburn, a southwestern suburb of Sydney. According to local authorities, the planes reportedly came into contact while flying in the same airspace, causing one of them to crash.
Emergency services rushed to the crash site shortly after receiving distress calls. Paramedics and firefighters found wreckage scattered across bushland. One pilot was confirmed dead at the scene, while the second plane managed to land safely at Camden Airport. No injuries were reported among its occupants.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has opened an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. A spokesperson said investigators will examine flight paths, communication records, and air traffic conditions at the time of the incident.
New South Wales Police confirmed that the crash site near Wedderburn Airfield has been secured and will remain closed while forensic teams document the area. Officials are assisting the victim's family and contacting aviation operators connected to the aircraft involved.
“This is a deeply distressing event for the local aviation community,” said an ATSB representative. “Safety investigators will work to understand what led to this mid-air contact and how similar tragedies can be prevented.”
Wedderburn, home to a small flying club and private airstrips, has experienced previous minor aviation incidents, though fatal collisions remain rare. Residents reported hearing a “loud bang” before seeing smoke rising above nearby bushland.
Summary: A mid-air collision between two small planes near Sydney’s Wedderburn killed one pilot and prompted a full ATSB investigation to uncover the cause of the tragedy.