Wife’s heartbreaking last conversation before pilot’s death

A respected Queensland pilot who died in a fiery plane crash on Sunday has been remembered by his wife as a “perfect gentleman” who will leave a lasting legacy on the aviation industry.

Stephanie and Robert Molony.

A respected Queensland pilot who died while conducting a routine flight has been remembered by his wife as a gentle husband who will leave a lasting legacy on the aviation industry.

Robert “Bob” Molony, 78, was killed in a light plane crash alongside pilot Wayne Saunders just outside of Oakey on Sunday.

The site of Sunday’s crash. Picture: 7News

Mr Molony’s wife of almost 30 years, Stephanie Molony, said the loss of her husband had left a gaping hole that will never be filled.

“Bob would have been fighting for his life,” Mrs Molony said.

“He’s going to leave a legacy of one of the most experienced pilots around.

“I’m so proud of him and the person he was for the industry, that they’ve now got people like him to aspire to be.”

The couple’s last Sunday morning together was spent buying fruit trees from Bunnings before Mr Molony was due at Warwick Airport at 2pm.

Bob Molony amassed over 14,000 flight hours across a distinguished history in military and commercial aviation.

Mr Molony – an experienced pilot and flight examiner – was meeting Mr Saunders to conduct his routine instrument proficiency check, which all commercial pilots complete every year.

Mrs Molony said as he walked out the front door, Mr Molony yelled back “I’ll be home at 4pm to plant those trees”.

“There was nothing extra about it, just as simple as that,” she said.

“It got to 4.30pm and I tried ringing his mobile and it went to message bank.

“I flicked through my phone and saw an accident and thought ‘oh no, it’s not him, he might be held up because of that’.”

Mrs Molony drove out to the airport, hoping she’d pass him driving home, but found his car still parked at the airport before police arrived to break the news.

The plane – owned by Aero Logistics – crashed in a field about 3pm before bursting into flames.

Wayne Saunders also died in the crash.

Sadly, Mr Molony and Mr Saunders couldn’t be saved.

Mr Molony was a Brisbane Boys College graduate and former Royal Australian Air Force pilot who served during the Vietnam War.

He flew in the second squadron in South Vietnam as a Canberra bomber navigator and the sixth squadron flying F4 Phantoms.

Mrs Molony met her future husband on his return from Vietnam when she was just 19 years old.

“I looked across the room and I just knew I had found my person. He was so handsome,” she said.

The pair went separate ways for many years before reconnecting later in life and marrying.

Mr Molony developed a respected name in the aviation industry, starting up his own flying school and working for various companies and individuals as a pilot and flight examiner.

He clocked more than 14,000 flying hours over his career and mentored many young pilots.

Mr Molony had planned to fly until he was 80 years old.

“He was the most beautiful, caring person, everything you would want in a husband. He was gentle, he was such a great teacher, God’s perfect gentleman.

“He was off doing something I knew he could do really well.

“It leaves me with a really big question mark about what’s happened.

“He’s left a really big hole, especially in the aviation industry.”

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau and Queensland Police are investigating the crash.

Originally published as Wife’s heartbreaking last conversation before pilot’s death