Qantas pilot named as one of three victims of horror Sydney mid-air crash

A Qantas pilot has been named as one of three victims who died in a horror mid-air crash in Sydney on Saturday.

One of the victims of a horror mid-air plane crash in Sydney’s southwest has been identified as a grandfather and Qantas pilot.

Three people died in the crash near Oakdale in Sydney’s southwest on Saturday morning when a Jabiru collided with a Cessna 182 just after it had taken off from an airfield.

The crash is being investigated after the pilot of the Jabiru and the two men in the Cessna, which was travelling from Cessnock to Wollongong, all died

Gary Criddle has been named as one of three men who died in a mid-air plane accident in Sydney's southwest. Picture: Supplied/Nine.

The crash scene at Belimbla Park. Picture: 7NEWS

It was reported on Sunday that grandfather Gary Criddle, a 72-year-old full-time Qantas pilot who had also served in the navy and Airforce, was one of two men onboard the Cessna.

“We’re absolutely devastated beyond words and in total shock by this tragic loss,” Mr Criddle’s family said in a statement, Nine reported.

“Gary, affectionately known as Gaz, was a very much loved husband, father, grandfather and aviator.

“He was a mentor to many aspiring pilots and an avid adventurer with plans to sail the world.

“Gaz was full of fun, laughter and generosity. His loss is immeasurable and he will be deeply missed.”

Emergency services raced to two crash sites just before midday on Saturday. Picture: NewsWire/Simon Bullard.

The crash is being investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Burea. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

Qantas Chief Pilot Richard Tobiano described Mr Criddle as a “highly respected and loved member of the Qantas flying community”.

“We were deeply upset to learn that an off-duty Qantas pilot was involved in the fatal light aircraft accident over Belimbla Park on Saturday,” he said.

“This is a very upsetting time for Captain Criddle’s family, friends and colleagues, and we will be providing them with as much support as we can.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will undertake a full investigation of the accident

“Over coming days, investigators will undertake site mapping, examine the wreckage of both aircraft, and recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” an ATSB spokesperson said.

“Investigators will also seek to interview any witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including any air traffic control and flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.”

Local resident Kylie Sparkes said she heard a plane flying around sounding normal then on one pass there was an “almighty bang” then “spluttering.”

“Dad has a mechanical background, he said it sounded like a catastrophic engine failure,” Ms Sparkes said.

“However we didn’t see it as we were under an (awning) but we certainly heard it and took off up the paddock to see if we could find the wreckage.”

Originally published as Qantas pilot named as one of three victims of horror Sydney mid-air crash