Young pilot Adam Snell has been killed following a plane crash in Mulgathing, southwest of Coober Pedy

A pilot aged in his 20s died following a plane crash in the state’s Far North on Thursday.

A young man was killed in a plane crash in the state’s Far North on Thursday morning.

Pilot Adam Snell, 22, was the only occupant in a Cessna 172 plane, when it reportedly crashed at Mulgathing, 500km north of Ceduna, about 9.30am. He sadly died in the crash.

Emergency service crews – including a Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft – rushed to the scene after reports of the light plane had crashed, about 9.30am.

Young pilot Adam Snell died in a crash in outback SA. Picture: Massey Aviation

Major Crash Investigators and Forensic Crime Scene officers also attended the scene, along with officers from Far North Local Service Area.

SafeWork SA was notified of the death.

The incident will be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), while the police prepare a report for the Coroner.

In a statement, a spokesman from the ATSB told The Advertiser an investigation was underway into the Cessna 172’s collision with terrain “during mustering operations” on Thursday morning.

In a tribute to Mr Snell, a close friend remembered him as a “funny” person.

“He was a cherished man. He was honest and reliable.”

22-year-old Adam Snell was flying a light plane when it crashed at Mulgathing 500km north of Ceduna – he died at the scene Picture: LinkedIn

According to LinkedIn, Mr Snell started working as a pilot for Jumbuck Pastoral in Mulgathing in December last year.

Mulgathing is the site of a 530,700ha sheep station which has an airstrip with aircraft used for mustering.

In June last year, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aviation/Airway Management and Operations from Massey University School of Aviation based in New Zealand.

Mr Snell obtained a Commercial Pilot License and a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating from Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

“My understanding encompasses all aspects of the industry, from aircraft technical systems, meteorology and flight planning, to management of aviation organisations and operation of aviation businesses,” Mr Snell wrote on LinkedIn.

“I hold all the required licenses and documentation to operate aircraft commercially, and have completed further study to be issued with credits for all Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL) theory courses.”

Just hours after the light plane went down, emergency services responded to a second plane crash in the state’s Far North.

SA Police confirmed the solo pilot, a 42-year-old Arcoona man, was being treated for minor injuries after crashing at Evelyn Downs, about 150km north of Coober Pedy, about 2pm on Thursday.

The Advertiser understands the Evelyn Downs crash occurred as the pilot was trying to land.

ATSB said a decision had not been made whether the second crash would also be investigated.