Man killed in ‘unsurvivable’ mid-air light plane crash over Belimbla Park near Oakdale identified

The second of three men killed in a mid-air light plane crash in Sydney’s southwest has been identified.

Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, was one of three people killed when his white Jabiru aircraft collided with a yellow Cessna 182 over Belimbla Park near Oakdale shortly after it had taken off from nearby Oaks Airfield on Saturday morning.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Witnesses share details of horror plane crash killing three men in NSW

The Cessna 182 was on its way to Wollongong from Cessnock with two people onboard and burst into flames on impact with the ground while the Jabiru was found one kilometre north of the initial wreckage.

Gagguturu - who was pronounced dead at the scene - is remembered as having a heart of gold and a passion for flying.

Veteran Qantas pilot Gary Criddle also died in the crash, along with a third 29-year-old man who is yet to be publicly identified.

“We’re absolutely devastated beyond words and in total shock by this tragic loss,” Criddle’s family said over the weekend.

“Gary, affectionately known as Gaz, was a very much loved husband, father, grandfather and aviator.

“He was a mentor to many aspiring pilots and an avid adventurer with plans to sail the world.

“Gaz was full of fun, laughter and generosity. His loss is immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed.”

The 72-year-old worked at Qantas for 36 years, and served in the navy and airforce, as a member of The Roulettes, for two decades.

Qantas Chief Pilot Richard Tobiano said the off-duty pilot was a “highly respected and loved member of the Qantas flying community”.

“This is a very upsetting time for Captain Criddle’s family, friends and colleagues, and we will be providing them with as much support as we can.”

Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said it was too early to tell what caused the crash.

“It will take my team a number of days to try and sort through what’s on the ground,” he said on Sunday.

“One of the planes has been impacted quite heavily by a fire after the collision as well, so that makes it challenging.”

The mid-air collision was believed to have occurred in uncontrolled airspace.

“There is a landing field here, and there are some very strict and well-established protocols for planes to establish separation, but essentially, they’re doing that separation themselves,” Mitchell said.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Joseph Ibrahim said 10 ambulance resources including a helicopter were deployed to the “confronting” scene but nothing could be done.

“The nature of the injuries were unsurvivable,” he said.

The sites, covered by bushland, are near two flying schools - Sydney Recreational Flying Club and Dave’s Flying School.

The area is popular with trainee pilots and recreational flyers, local councillor Suzy Brandstater said, telling AAP: “Recreational flying is very popular and this is probably one of the closest places to Sydney that you can do it”.

Authorities urged the public to stay away as forensics and police rescue vehicles moved around the area.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will deploy a team to the crash sites to interview witnesses and collect air traffic control and flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.

“Over coming days, investigators will undertake site mapping, examine the wreckage of both aircraft and recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the safety regulator said.

They have urged any witnesses or anyone with footage of the planes in any phase of their flights to contact them.

- with AAP