Light plane crash at Luskintyre: Pilot David Jardine in critical condition

The family of a former RAAF member are by his side in hospital as he fights for his life. The 48-year-old suffered severe burns to his body after crashing his light plane near Maitland.

It was described as “nothing short of a miracle” that a pilot was able to land a light plane just metres from a rural airstrip in the Hunter, away from homes, and get out before it exploded into flames.

Experienced aviator and former RAAF personnel David Jardine, 48, is fighting for his life after suffering severe burns when his ‘Mooney’ aircraft crash landed at Luskintyre, north west of Maitland, on private property on Monday afternoon.

The member of the Newcastle Aero Club from Hinton departed Maitland airport before he got into trouble and a fire erupted in what’s believed to be the cockpit of the plane.

David Jardine, experienced aviation and former RAAF member, suffered serious burns when he crash landed his 'Mooney' aircraft on October 17, 2022, at Luskintyre. He remains critical in Royal North Shore Hospital. Pic: Facebook

Mr Jardine was treated at the scene by paramedics before the Westpac rescue helicopter flew him to Royal North Shore’s specialist burns unit.

There he remains in a critical condition with family by his side, having suffered burns to an estimated 80 per cent of his body.

CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Benjamin Morgan also rushed to be hospital to be by his side and told The Newcastle News the accident had come as a “real shock”.

“We’re waiting for the ATSB (Australian Transport and Safety Bureau) to commence its investigation but what we do know is that David was battling a fire in the aircraft and to get it on the ground was nothing short of a bloody miracle,” he said.

“He was facing a desperately perilous situation and has managed to get the aircraft on the ground and was able to get out of the aircraft when emergency services arrived, who actually found him outside the aircraft standing up.”

“Just a miraculous effort.”

The scene of the crash. Picture: Dan Proudman

Mr Jardine, affectionately know as “Jards”, was a member of the Royal Air Force as an air safety command program manager and senior inspector for explosive safety for more than 20 years and continued his service as a reservist.

He was also a longstanding member of the AOPA and is currently the director and principal of Soteria Solutions, an explosive ordnance operations company.

“He’s on the bush pilot advocacy panel and contributes to our association via that, and works as a small circle of advisors,” Mr Morgan said.

“He has been involved in aviation in Australia for some time and has been flying for a number of decades.

“David is an avid private pilot but he also holds a commercial pilots license and he’s been involved in flying a multitude of general aviation aircraft types, quite experienced operator.”

He said the next 24 hours for David remains critical.

The scene of the Luskintyre plane crash on October 17, 2022. Picture: NSW Ambulance.

“”He’s very much fighting for his life,” he explained.

“We’re all hopeful that his fighting spirit will keep him going and will get through the next 24 hours onto a longer journey of recovery.

“His family have been receiving an outpouring of support and best wishes from many across the aviation industry and pilots that david knows personally, so it has been extremely heartwarming experience to see so many from our industry reaching out.

“We’re all thinking of him and hoping that he maintains the fight and continues to pull through.”

Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the bureau had launched an investigation following the crash.

A team of transport safety investigators were deployed from Canberra to the site on Tuesday to begin the evidence collection phase of the investigation.

“Over the coming days ATSB investigators will survey and map the accident site and collect any relevant components for further examination and analysis at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” Chief Commissioner Mitchell said in a statement on Monday night.

“They will also obtain and review any recorded data, weather information, witness reports, and aircraft maintenance records.

“The ATSB asks anyone who may have seen or heard the aircraft in any phase of its flight, or who may have footage of any kind, to make contact via [e-mail] at their earliest opportunity.

“The ATSB will publish a final report, detailing contributing factors and any identified safety issues, at the conclusion of the investigation.

“However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”