Pilots Mark White, Simon Peutrill identified as men killed in plane crash near Nambucca Heads

One of the two men killed in a plane crash on the state’s north coast described the plane as “fantastic to fly” years before it was seen plummeting into the ocean.

An experienced pilot who was one of two men killed in a plane crash on the state’s north coast eerily described the plane as “fantastic to fly” two years before it was seen plummeting into the ocean on the weekend.

Experienced pilot Mark White, 67, who led Midcoast Microlights was killed on Saturday alongside seasoned instructor Simon Peutrill, 69, on board the Sting S4.

It comes as NSW police and aviation officials are investigating the microlight plane crash with it being the second deadly aviation incident in less than a week.

The aircraft was seen plummeting into the ocean about two kilometres off the coast near Nambucca Heads at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the efforts of police. surf lifesavers and Marine Rescue NSW, the pilot, 67, and passenger, 69, died on impact.

Mark White. Picture: Midcoast Microlights

Simon Peutrill. Picture: Facebook

The wreckage of a microlight aircraft which crashed in the sea south of Nambucca Heads yesterday. Picture: Supplied

Two people died when the aircraft crashed about 4pm on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

Police say the crash happened just thirty minutes after the plane took off from a private airstrip at Coffs Harbour, with multiple witnesses calling triple-0, according to NSW Police Inspector Stuart Campbell.

“About 4pm, emergency services responded to the coast line just south of Nambucca Heads after witness reports of a plane crashing into the ocean,” Chief Insp Campbell said.

”A search was co-ordinated with local police resources as well as surf rescue, and water police from Coffs Harbour. That search located wreckage of a light aircraft unfortunately in that wreckage were the bodies of two deceased persons.”

The right wing was spotted floating in the sea. Picture: Supplied

Police investigators continued to examine the scene on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

The pilot’s body was retrieved on Saturday, while his passenger’s body was recovered on Sunday during efforts by investigators off Scotts Head Beach to retrieve the wrecked aircraft from the water.

An aircraft wing on the sand and another in the waves were spotted near the crash scene on Sunday, as officers inspected the area on land, via jetski and on-board a patrol boat.

Mr Peutrill, who had joined Midcoast Microlights in 2022, had described himself on his Facebook page as a “senior instructor” and in his announcement post he praised the Sting S4 as “fantastic to fly”.

On the Midcoast Microflights website, Mr White is listed as the “Chief Flying Instructor” with “many years experience” in teaching both domestic and international students.

The business is described as being “Coffs Harbour’s premium flying school”.

Investigators on the sand at Scotts Head Beach. Picture: Supplied

The double fatality follows a similar crash on December 30 where local real estate agent Jim Auld, 67, died and his son Robert, 32, critically injured when their light plane crashed soon after take off at Yamba. Mr Auld was a highly respected real estate agent in Coffs Harbour and experienced at flying his own light plane.

Both accidents are now being investigated and reports will be prepared for the coroner.