Tragic twist after pilot Greig Wanless and mother Kate Callingham were killed in light plane crash at Mount Beauty Airport, Victoria

A man and woman who died in a minor plane crash were on their way to scatter the ashes of a loved one when they died.

Pilot Greig Wanless, 67, and respected arts identity Kate Callingham, 39, died after their light aircraft crashed at Mount Beauty Airport, in eastern Victoria, on Saturday.

Mr Wanless’s wife said the couple flew to scatter the ashes of Max Cunningham, Mrs Callingham’s father and Mr Wanless’s best friend.

“He made a beautiful memorial before he went up,” Karen Wanless told the newspaper Herald Sun.

“He died doing the two things he loved: flying and helping people.”

Mr Wanless’s wife said the pair flew to scatter the ashes of Max Cunningham – Mrs Callingham’s father (pictured) and Mr Wanless’s best friend

Mrs Wanless described her husband as an “amazing” builder, CFA firefighter, gliding instructor, teacher, father, husband and “friend to the end”.

Mr Wanless had 40 years of flying experience and was an active member of the Yarrambat community in Melbourne’s north.

He was a former teacher at Ivanhoe Grammar School and ran a scholarship program for students who wanted to become pilots.

Mr Wanless leaves behind “three beautiful children” who are “absolutely devastated” by his sudden death.

Ms Callingham was the mother of a five-and-a-half-month-old baby and worked for the City of Casey and the City of Melbourne in arts management.

In a statement on Saturday, her grieving family described her as a “beloved mother, daughter and friend, and an astute leader in Melbourne’s arts and cultural life.”

“She was widely respected and loved for her clear moral compass, adventurous spirit and formidable, level-headed common sense,” they said.

“Kate was loved for her kindness, easy laugh and always the most capable person in the room.”

Ms Callingham previously served as a board member of the literary magazine The Lifted Brow, as an advisor to the Stella Prize literary awards and as co-director of the Emerging Writers’ Festival.

Victoria Police believe the light aircraft was flying over Embankment Dr when it crashed at 1.45pm.

Victoria Police believe the light aircraft was flying over Embankment Dr when it crashed at 1.45pm (photo, emergency services on scene)

Witnesses reported seeing the plane apparently struggling to land before crashing into a meadow just short of the runway (photo, police on scene)

Witnesses reported seeing the plane apparently struggling to land before crashing into a field just short of the runway.

Emergency services tried to save the pair, but both died at the scene.

The police will prepare a report for the coroner.