‘Devoted’ Gold Coast dad Lane Kokshoorn, young son remembered after plane crash at Lilydale in northern NSW
A “devoted” Queensland dad who tragically died alongside his young son in a light plane crash in northern NSW was an experienced Boeing 787 pilot who once worked for one of Japan’s biggest airlines.
Regional News
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A “devoted” Queensland father who tragically died alongside his young son in a light plane crash in northern NSW was an experienced Boeing 787 pilot who once worked for one of Japan’s biggest airlines.
Gold Coast man Lane Kokshoorn, aged in his 30s, and his young son, aged under 10, died on Tuesday morning when Mr Kokshoorn’s recreational kit aeroplane crashed into powerlines and burst into flames on impact at a Lilydale property near Grafton.
Emergency services were called to the traumatic scene on Winegrove Rd about 9am. Sadly, the pair were declared dead at the scene.
Mr Kokshoorn was piloting a plane known as a Highlander Rotax 914UL, a small bush plane usually built in home garages or in small hangars.
Southport Flying Club has paid tribute to Mr Kokshoorn and his son, saying the dad was “devoted” to his family.
Steve Rance, aerodrome manager at the Coombabah club, said he would see Mr Kokshoorn “four-to-five times a week” and that the father had been a regular fixture of the club for close to a decade.
Mr Rance said he saw the father and son “happy as anything” before they departed for what would be their second-last leg of the fatal flight. It’s understood his son was his only child.
Mr Rance said the pair left the Southport Flying Club about 9am on Monday. NSW Police believe the pair stopped for the night before departing on Tuesday morning, when the crash occurred.
“We are just devastated by the whole situation,” Mr Rance said.
“He was a devoted family man who loved his son very much.
“The boy goes flying with his dad a lot. They are both avid aviators.
“I feel heartbroken for his partner. It’s something she will never get over.”
Mr Kokshoorn, from a family of flying enthusiasts, was a Boeing 787 captain for Japan’s five-star airline All Nippon Airlines, which operates out of Tokyo.
His LinkedIn profile states that he was previously a captain for BHMM aviation on the Gold Coast and a pilot for Cobham Aviation in Perth. He also worked for private airline charters in Brisbane.
A professional pilot website states Mr Kokshoorn was an “experienced Global 7500 captain with a career that has spanned the globe”.
“He was one of the youngest Captains in ANA/Air Japan on the B767-300ER promoted under a very strict, demanding and challenging check and training system.”
The site also mentions he was a licensed helicopter pilot.
Mr Kokshoorn was a member of the Canungra Hang Gliding Club, according to social media posts and its website.
Coffs/Clarence Police District Acting Inspector Aaron Van Schaik told media on Tuesday afternoon the family had been notified.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is not investigating the crash.
NSW Police are continuing investigations with assistance from Recreational Aviation Australia.
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