Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigate after two dead in Appin plane crash

The federal transport safety body has launched an investigation after two people died in a light plane crash in Appin on Boxing Day – but the fire damage could hamper their search for answers.

Smoke seen billowing from what is believed to be the bushland site of a plane crash in Appin, southwest of Sydney. Picture: 9 News

An investigation has been launched into the plane crash that killed two people and sparked a bushfire in Sydney’s southwest on Boxing Day.

Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) arrived at the site of the crash on Appin Rd in Appin – east of Picton – about 2pm on Tuesday to probe the incident.

They are expected to remain on-site for three days where they will use drones to create a 3D picture to help them understand the flight profile of the aircraft just before the collision occurred.

Two people died when a Glasair Super II aircraft lane crashed shortly before 3pm on Monday.

The crash sparked a blaze in the trees and sent smoke billowing into the sky before firefighters brought the fire under control. Eye witnesses had reported seeing the plane go down.

A video grab showing smoke billowing from the bushland in Appin after the crash. Picture: 9 News

A video grab showing emergency services at the scene. Picture: 9 News

Crews then went into the area and found the plane wreckage with the two bodies inside, who are yet to be formally identified.

Police will work with ATSB investigators, who were deployed to the site from Canberra and Brisbane, to figure out what caused the crash.

APPIN: Appin Rd is closed btwn Colliery Rd and the M1 Princes Mwy due to a fire. Avoid the area. Use Picton Rd instead. pic.twitter.com/iKSRHuweW0

— Live Traffic NSW (@LiveTrafficNSW) December 26, 2022

Crews will also be looking to extract any avionics or mobile electronic devices, such as iPhones and iPads, from the wreckage to recover data – although they have recognised the severely burnt aircraft could limit the amount of obtainable evidence.

“The initial ATSB safety investigation will include an examination of the wreckage, assessment of aircraft and pilot records, weather information and any available recorded data,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“The ATSB’s evidence collection will define the size and scope of the investigation and determine the expected time frame for the completion of a final report.”

Appin Rd was closed in both directions on Monday afternoon between the M1 Princes Motorway and Colliery Rd due to the fire.