Sister’s tribute for young pilot killed in plane crash at Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome

A young pilot who perished in a light plane crash at Parwan died doing what he loved, his heartbroken family says.

A crashed plane at the in airfield in Parwan, near Bacchus Marsh. Picture: 7News

A young pilot who perished in a light plane crash at Parwan died doing what he loved, his heartbroken family has said.

“Kind hearted” 20-year-old Jack Miller died just moments after taking off in his Cessna 150 light aircraft from Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome on Tuesday, when he crashed in a paddock.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, 50km northwest of Melbourne

His sister, Nicole Miller told 7NEWS on Friday her brother died doing what he loved.

“(He was) always watching all the old war movies with the planes that would take off, he would soak up everything that he saw,” she said.

“Not many people can say they went out doing exactly what they loved doing.”

Heartbroken family have paid tribute to Jack Miller, a young pilot killed in a plane crash at Parwon.

The 32-year-old said her brother had only received his pilot’s licence earlier this year — a dream come true — and was due to celebrate his birthday in the coming weeks.

“It’s gonna be a really difficult day for everybody,” she said “He’s not gonna be here for his 21st birthday that we would have loved to have celebrated.

“I couldn’t believe it (when I heard), I thought ‘surely not’, because that wouldn’t happen to such a great boy like Jack.”

An investigation into the accident is already under way, with findings set to be handed down by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) at a future date.

The (ATSB) decision will come after they review flight data, site mapping and pilot and aircraft records.

Ms Miller said family and friends weren’t overly concerned with the outcome of the investigation.

“Whatever happened doesn’t change the outcome at the end of the day,” she said. “We still don’t have him and nothing will ever fix the place he had in our lives.”

The crash occurred at 11.20am at the Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome in Parwan.

Cessna 150 VH-EYU, the plane involved in the crash. Picture: Bacchus Marsh Aero Club

Shortly after takeoff, a Cessna 150 light aircraft descended and crashed into a paddock adjacent to the airport.

Mr Miller was not associated with nearby flying and gliding schools.

His plane, registered as VH-EYU and built in 1974, was operated by Bacchus Marsh Aero Club.

A source close to the club said the fatality was extremely distressing.

“The thoughts of the Bacchus Marsh Aero Club and the wider flying community are with the pilot’s family at this very difficult time,” they said.

“He was up doing something that he loved.”

Roads had reopened in the area on Wednesday, but the airfield was closed as Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) workers brought in from Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney investigated.

“Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities on site, including wreckage examination, site mapping with a drone, and recovery of any relevant aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” a spokesman said on Tuesday.

“Investigators will also seek to interview any witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including any flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.”

The crashed plane. Picture: 7News

Kurunjang woman Danielle Beech said she arrived at the scene minutes after the incident, intending to visit the airport with her son.

“I live in Kurunjang but was taking my son to see the airfield at the time,” Ms Beech said.

“We saw a light plane on the way looked like it was circling so I showed my son and said that’s a bit strange but continued to drive to the airfield.

“We got there about three minutes later to find emergency services heading to what looked like a metal wreck.

“I sat and watched what was happening in disbelief for a while and decided to leave so my son didn’t see anything distressing.”

A strewn bit of aircraft lies in a paddock. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The aerodrome is operated by the Moorabool Shire Council.

Council chief executive Derek Madden said the council was “aware of the awful situation at the aerodrome”.

“While investigations are continuing we can’t make any further comment, but our thoughts are with all involved,” he said.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

On August 25, about 80 emergency service personnel took part in a multiagency training exercise, preparing for any potential plane crashes.

The crash is the second in just six weeks in Victoria, after a man died in a crash near Castlemaine.

In that crash, a neighbour rushed to the Redesdale scene after he heard a large bang.

There he found a mangled wreck in a “massive ball of flames”.

In April, a glider crashed at Mount Beauty.

Pilot Greig Wanless and passenger Kate Callingham had been flying to scatter the ashes of his best mate Max Callingham, who was also Ms Callingham’s father.