By Josefine Ganko
A 16-year-old pilot has died in a light plane crash near Camden Airport in south-west Sydney.
NSW Police and Fire and Rescue were called to the scene at Brownlow Hill about 3.15pm on Wednesday after the aircraft crashed into fields off Brownlow Hill Loop Road. The boy was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
The four-seater aircraft is believed to be a Cessna 172 from a local flying school that had just taken off from Camden Airport, Nine News reported. The teen pilot was doing circuit training when something went wrong.
A request to land was made just three minutes after take-off while the aircraft was flying at 1500 feet. The request was the final communication from the aircraft before it crashed, Nine News said.
The plane made two successful trips earlier on Wednesday, flying as far as Castle Hill.
The 16-year-old is yet to be formally identified.
According to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, pilots must be over 15 years old to fly solo and at least 16 to get their first licence.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has commenced its investigation into the crash, following initial inquiries by NSW Police.
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