Two men dead after light plane crashes in paddock
The light plane crashed near Scone Aerodrome just before 2pm on Friday. Photo: 7 News
Two men flying a kit-built plane home for the first time after purchasing it are dead after it crashed into a paddock.
The men, who are yet to be identified, had had travelled to Scone, in NSW’s Upper Hunter region, from Western Australia to pick up the 2012 ultralight.
They had bought the plane last month for $38,000.
Minutes after take-off, the aircraft crashed into a paddock on Bunnan Road near the Scone Aerodrome at 1.55pm on Friday, killing both men on impact.
Emergency services, including police, paramedics and firefighters, were called to the scene.
The men were flying a recreational kit-built plane. Photo: 7 News
A crime scene was established near the aerodrome and will be examined by specialist officers.
“Upon attendance, NSW Ambulance located two males in the cockpit of the aircraft, and sadly, both men were deceased,” officials said.
Recreational Aviation Australia has also been informed of the crash.
Police said they were looking into all possible explanations for the crash, be it pilot error, mechanical error or weather.
NSW Police Inspector Todd Hobson said the cause of the crash was not yet known.
“We’re at the early stage of the investigation, so all things are being considered,” he said.
Upper Hunter Mayor Pat Ryan says locals are shocked by the tragedy. Photo: Upper Hunter Shire Council
Upper Hunter Mayor Pat Ryan told the ABC the community was still coming to terms with the incident.
“What has to be at the forefront of people’s minds is to consider the impact on the families and obviously the first responders,” he said.
“People are shocked and just can’t really believe what actually occurred.
“Police are on the scene … [it] sounds like a very tragic accident.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it had been informed of the crash, but it did not investigate recreational aircraft accidents.
“The accident has been reported to us and we have confirmed it was a kit-built aircraft on the recreational register,” a spokesperson said.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
-with AAP
