Third person killed in catastrophic mid-air plane crash is identified as trainee pilot Jake Anastas – as distraught wife of the 29-year-old breaks her silence

The identity of a third pilot killed in a horrific mid-air collision has been revealed.

Jake Anastas, 29, was one of three people killed when two light aircraft collided over Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, in Sydney’s south-west, about 11.50am on Saturday.

A Jabiru plane struck a yellow Cessna 182 in mid-air and emergency services found the wreckage of the two planes on the ground more than a kilometer apart.

Mr Anastas and former Qantas pilot Gary Criddle, 72, were on board the Cessna, which had reportedly taken off from Cessnock in northern NSW.

The Jabiru plane took off a short time later, piloted by Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, who also died from “insurmountable injuries” in the crash and was found in the wreckage of his plane.

The Cessna with the two co-pilots was heading to Shellharbour Airport, near Wollongong, on the state’s south coast.

Mr Anastas had obtained his commercial pilot’s license and was training when the tragic crash occurred.

His widow, Tori, has broken her silence, saying Mr Anastas was a kind person and a “loving” partner.

A Jabiru plane struck a yellow Cessna 182 in mid-air, killing three people (photo: a firefighter putting out the wreckage)

The emergency services were called at 11.50 am

Tori said her husband had flown half his life and loved being in the air.

‘[Jake was] a loving, caring and remarkable husband who had a tremendous impact on everyone in his life,” she told 9News.

“He loved to fly and made everyone happier and he always made me feel like she could fly with him.”

So was Mr. Criddle remembered as someone with a ‘heart of gold’ who was passionate about flying.

His 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.

Anastas’ wife, Tori, said her husband had flown half his life and was completing his training as a commercial pilot

“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’.

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.

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

A forest fire started at the crash site and stretched for a kilometer through the undergrowth between aircraft

“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.