One resident reported seeing emergency services respond online. Photo: Damien Rogers/Facebook.
A man in his 50s has died in a plane crash on the NSW South Coast.
A NSW Police spokesperson said that emergency services were called to bushland west of George Bass Drive in Moruya (about two kilometres north of Moruya Airport) just after 2 pm on Saturday (27 September), following reports of a plane crash.
Officers from South Coast Police District attended the scene and found a plane, used by a skydiving business, had crashed.
The pilot, a 54-year-old man, died at the scene.
Police also said he was the only person on board.
A crime scene has been established and will be examined by specialist officers.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been informed of the crash.
An ATSB spokesperson told Region that the pilot was returning to Moruya Airport after conducting a skydiving drop when his plane, a turboprop Pilatus Porter, collided with terrain.
The organisation is deploying a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra and Brisbane offices, specialising in aircraft operations, maintenance and engineering, to the accident site.
They are expected to arrive on Sunday (28 September).
“Once on site on Sunday morning, investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities including site survey with a drone, wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.
“Investigators will also seek to interview involved parties and witnesses, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.”
There have been several incidents related to skydiving in the area.
In November 2008, an experienced skydiver aged in his late 40s was found dead in a tree after missing the drop zone.
Then in December 2012, an experienced skydiver aged in his 30s died after his parachutes became tangled during a jump.
And in August 2024, a skydiver died after being injured in a routine jump, while later that year, another skydiver needed to be rescued after becoming stuck in a tree.
The ATSB is asking for anyone with video footage of the aircraft (at any phase of the flight) or in the immediate aftermath of the accident to come forward.
This can be done by visiting its witness reporting page on their website.
A report will also be prepared for the coroner.
An investigation into the circumstances of the incident has commenced and anyone with information is asked to contact crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
