Qantas pilot and aviation ‘mentor’ among those who died in plane collision

Crash investigators continue to probe the causes of a mid-air collision between two light aircraft that killed three men, including an experienced military and commercial aircraft pilot, south-west of Sydney on Saturday.

A Cessna 182 carrying Qantas pilot Gary Criddle, 72, and another 29-year-old man was en route to Wollongong from Cessnock when it was involved in the collision with a Jabiru light aircraft.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators leave the private property where the wreckage fell from a mid-air plane collision on Saturday.Credit: Edwina Pickles

The Jabiru had just taken off from The Oaks airfield piloted by a 60-year-old man at about 11.50am on Saturday.

Wreckage of the two planes was found about a kilometre apart in bushland near Belimbla Park in the Macarthur region.

Police said nothing could be done to save the men involved in the crash.

Criddle trained as a Navy pilot in the late 1970s and flew anti-submarine aircraft from the HMAS Melbourne aircraft carrier.

Former Qantas pilot Gary Criddle died in a plane collision on Saturday.

He became an experienced flying instructor, was a member of the airforce’s aerobatic display team The Roulettes and worked as a Qantas pilot for 36 years.

“We’re absolutely devastated beyond words and in total shock by this tragic loss,” his family said in a statement to Nine News. “Gary, affectionately known as Gaz, was a very much loved husband, father, grandfather and aviator.

“He was a mentor to many aspiring pilots and an avid adventurer with plans to sail the world. Gaz was full of fun, laughter and generosity. His loss is immeasurable and he will be deeply missed.”

Qantas chief pilot Richard Tobiano said Criddle was a highly respected and loved member of the Qantas flying community.

“We were deeply upset to learn that an off-duty Qantas pilot was involved in the fatal light aircraft accident over Belimbla Park on Saturday,” Tobiano said.

“This is a very upsetting time for Captain Criddle’s family, friends and colleagues, and we will be providing them with as much support as we can.”

Police near the crash site on Sunday.Credit: Edwina Pickles

Staff from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau were present at the wreckage sites on Sunday and are gathering flight data, weather information and maintenance records.

Speaking from the scene of the crash, the bureau’s chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the area was uncontrolled airspace, which means it isn’t monitored by air traffic controllers.

“This is known as Class G, or non-controlled airspace. It is very much up to pilots ... it’s an alert, see-and-avoid principle,” Mitchell said.

The bureau will continue to map the site of the crash, examine the wreckage and obtain relevant components of the destroyed aircraft for examination over the coming days.

Investigators have asked any witnesses to the crash or those who may have footage of the incident to contact the bureau.

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