Pilot killed in plane crash near Bacchus Marsh in Melbourne remembered as intelligent, ‘caring’ young man
A young pilot killed in a plane crash about 50km northwest of Melbourne has been remembered as a “caring, kind-hearted” man who died just shy of his 21st birthday.
Jack Miller had always dreamed about one day being a pilot, according to his sister Nicole Miller.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sister of Melbourne pilot killed in plane crash pays tribute
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“(He was) always watching all the old war movies with the planes that would take off, he would soak up everything that he saw,” she told 7NEWS.
His dreams became a reality earlier this year when he finally received his pilot’s licence, however tragically the 20-year-old’s bright future was cut short on Tuesday doing what he loved most.
Just minutes after take-off Jack lost control of his Cessna 150 light aircraft and crashed into a paddock near Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome in Parwan.
He died at the scene.
Nicole, 32, said she was shocked when she received the news from one of Jack’s friends.
“I couldn’t believe it, I thought surely not because that wouldn’t happen to such a great boy like Jack,” she said.
Jack was due to celebrate his 21st birthday in just five weeks however his family now face the reality of having to commemorate the day without him.
“It’s gonna be a really difficult day for everybody,” Nicole said.
“He’s not gonna be here for his 21st birthday that we would have loved to have celebrated.”
Jack was an “effortlessly authentic, caring, kindhearted” person to all who knew him, his sister said, who was extremely intelligent and worked hard to reach his goal of becoming a pilot.
The fact that he died doing something he loved gave his family some peace, Nicole said.
“Not many people can say they went out doing exactly what they loved doing,” she said.
“He’s just my hero, I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such an amazing brother.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has already started its investigation into the accident, using flight data, site mapping and pilot and aircraft records to determine what led to the crash.
Whether it was a problem with the plane or a mistake made by Jack, Nicole said the outcome of the investigation doesn’t change what happened.
“Whatever happened doesn’t change the outcome at the end of the day,” she said.
“We still don’t have him and nothing will ever fix the place he had in our lives.”
Originally published on 7NEWS
