Emergency crews rushed to a light plane crash at Wedderburn, near a privately owned airfield in Sydney’s southwest, around 12:15 p.m. local time on Sunday. Reports indicated that two small aircraft collided mid-air before one of them went down.
Police, paramedics, and fire and rescue teams quickly arrived at the crash site. They confirmed that the pilot of one of the planes died at the scene. The second aircraft managed to land safely nearby, and its occupants were treated for shock but did not suffer major injuries.
Authorities established a crime scene and cordoned off the area, while investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) began gathering evidence to determine the cause of the accident.
Residents in the Wedderburn area described hearing a loud bang followed by smoke rising above the treeline. The private airfield has been used for light aviation activities, including recreational flying and flight training.
Officials reminded pilots of strict safety protocols and urged caution when operating in local airspace, especially near small private strips.
“Our focus now is on supporting the families affected and ensuring a thorough investigation into how this tragic event occurred,” said a police spokesperson.
Author’s summary: A light aircraft pilot was killed after two planes collided mid-air near a private Sydney airfield; investigators are examining the cause while local authorities stress safety compliance.