Man killed in ‘unsurvivable’ mid-air light plane crash over Sydney is identified
A man has been identified as one of three people killed when two light aircraft collided in a horror crash.
Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, died when his Jabiru plane struck a yellow Cessna 182 over Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, in Sydney’s south-west, about 11.50am on Saturday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and found the Jabiru plane a kilometer north of the Cessna 182 wreckage.
Mr Gagguturu died at the scene after suffering ‘insurmountable injuries’.
He is remembered as someone with a passion for flying and a heart of gold.
Former Qantas pilot Gary Criddle, 72, and an unidentified 29-year-old, who were on board the Cessna, were also killed.
The Cessna is said to have taken off from Cessnock in northern NSW a short time earlier.
The plane was headed to Shallharbour Airport, near Wollongong, on the state’s south coast.
A second man, Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, (pictured), who was among three people killed in a horror plane crash in Sydney’s south-west on Saturday, has been identified
Mr Criddle’s family paid tribute to the grandfather, saying he spent 20 years in the Navy and Air Force before working for Qantas for 36 years.
‘We are absolutely devastated and completely shocked by this tragic loss. Gary, affectionately known as Gaz, was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and aviator,” the family said in a statement.
“He was a mentor to many aspiring pilots and an avid adventurer with plans to sail around the world. Gaz was full of fun, laughter and generosity.
“His loss is immeasurable and he will be deeply missed.”
Saturday’s collision sparked a forest fire when one of the planes hit the ground. Emergency services rushed to extinguish the fire before they could reach the location.
Smoke was seen billowing into the air above the crash site, with witnesses reporting seeing a ‘fireball’ Seven news.
Emergency services rushed to the scene (pictured) after the two planes crashed in mid-air before finding three deceased men
Mr Gagguturu (pictured) is remembered as someone who was passionate about flying and had a heart of gold
NSW Police Acting Chief Inspector Timothy Calman said damage at the scene indicated a mid-air collision that sent an aircraft “straight down” into the ground.
The mid-air crash occurred in uncontrolled airspace where there was “much more traffic.”
“The closest place we are to here that was affected by fire would not have been a surviving impact,” Supt Calman said.
“At the second scene, a mile north of here, that plane wasn’t burning, but it wouldn’t have been survivable either.”
NSW Ambulance Inspector Joseph Ibrahim said 10 ambulances, including a helicopter, were deployed to the “confrontational” scene but nothing could be done to save the men.
Police and Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) officers will interview all witnesses to the crash to understand what happened.
Authorities have urged residents near the area and the public to stay away from the area as police and forensic teams continue their investigations.