Two men have died following a tragic light plane crash near Scone in the New South Wales Upper Hunter region on Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 1:55pm, after reports emerged of a light aircraft coming down in a paddock on Bunnan Road. The crash site is situated in close proximity to the Scone Memorial Airport, located roughly 150 kilometres north-west of Newcastle.
NSW Police confirmed that the two occupants of the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are currently working to formally identify the victims and notify their next of kin. A crime scene has been established, with specialist officers tasked with examining the wreckage to piece together the events leading up to the fatal impact.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been notified of the crash and provided initial details regarding the vessel involved. According to the bureau, the craft was a kit-built aircraft registered on the recreational aviation register. Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) has also been informed of the incident and is expected to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Upper Hunter Mayor Pat Ryan expressed his condolences following the incident, noting that he was contacted by the local airport general manager shortly after the crash occurred.
“It looks like the aircraft has crashed adjacent to the airport on private property,” Mayor Ryan said. “Police are on the scene… it sounds like a very tragic accident.”
Emergency crews, including fire and ambulance personnel, remained on-site throughout the afternoon to secure the area and manage the wreckage. The dry, open paddock served as a stark backdrop as investigators began the difficult task of documenting the scene.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the local aviation community, with Scone Memorial Airport serving as a vital hub for recreational and private pilots in the region. While investigations are in the early stages, the focus will now shift to determining the cause of the failure or circumstances that led the light aircraft to descend so abruptly.
Police have confirmed that a report will be prepared for the coroner, who will eventually determine the cause of the deaths. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to avoid the area near Bunnan Road to ensure that emergency services and specialist investigators can complete their work without interference.
For those affected by the incident, local support services are expected to be available as the tight-knit Upper Hunter community reels from the loss. At this stage, no further details regarding the identities of the men or the flight path of the aircraft have been released.
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