Tragedy! Three killed as two planes collide mid-air

The collision of two planes mid-air claimed three lives on Saturday morning in Sydney, Australia.

The NSW Police reported that the incident happened around 11:50 a.m. on Saturday near Belimbla Park, Oakdale.

Acting Superintendent Timothy Calman confirmed that two people were found dead at the crash site of a Cessna 182, and another was located about a kilometer away at the Jabiru’s crash site.

Both aircraft were said to be completely destroyed, with the Cessna 182’s wreckage in flames.

Calman said the types of incidents were infrequent, they are typically severe.

The collision happened in uncontrolled airspace. Authorities have identified the pilot of the Jabiru but were still working to confirm the identities of those onboard the Cessna 182. Initial investigations suggest the Jabiru took off from Oaks airfield, while the Cessna 182 was traveling from Cessnock to Wollongong.

Footage from the crash site reveals the aircraft wreckage in forested areas, which has added to the complexity of the investigation. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is leading the inquiry and has sent a team from Canberra to analyze the wreckage and collect evidence.

The ATSB outlined its investigation plans, stating, “A team of transport safety investigators from the ATSB’s Canberra office, with experience in aircraft operations and maintenance, is preparing to deploy to the accident sites of both aircraft to begin evidence-collecting activities.”

In the coming days, investigators will map the sites, assess the wreckage, and recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra. The team will also conduct interviews with witnesses and gather critical data, including air traffic records, flight tracking information, and weather reports.

The ATSB assured the public that if they uncover any immediate safety risks during the investigation, they will notify relevant authorities to implement safety measures promptly.