Two planes go down in fatal crash in Sydney’s southwest

Three people are dead after two light planes colliding mid-air before crashing to the ground.

Three men are dead after two light planes crashed into each other in Sydney’s southwest.

NSW Police confirmed they responded to a fatal plane crash about 11.50am in the vicinity of Belimbla Park near Oakdale on Saturday.

Police have since confirmed three men died in the crash.

NSW Ambulance spokesperson earlier confirmed there were two occupants inside one of the planes at the time of the crash.

Local resident Kylie Sparkes said she heard a plane flying around sounding normal then on one pass there was an “almighty bang” then “spluttering.”

Two planes have crashed into each other in Sydney’s southwest. Picture: 7News

“Dad has a mechanical background, he said it sounded like a catastrophic engine failure,” Ms Sparkes said.

“However we didn’t see it as we were under an (awning) but we certainly heard it and took off up the paddock to see if we could find the wreckage.”

Ms Sparkes said they headed up an old fire trail that ran through the back of their property, but they could not find the wreckage.

Emergency services remain on the scene. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

She said a person working near the rear of their property witnessed the crash and found one of the wreckages near a creek.

“One flew into the other and that was the bang and catastrophic engine failure,” she said.

“Apparently it came down about 300m off to the left hand side of our rear boundary - a lot of trees up there.

“By the time we got back down we could hear the sirens from emergency services.”

NSW Ambulance confirmed two people were inside one of the planes. Picture: 7News

One of the planes came down near Yallah St and the other crashed along a fire trail off Binalong Road in in Bellimba Park.

Another local resident shared on social media she heard the incident unfold.

“Normal engine sounds, then loud bang, spluttering, then silence. Ran out the paddock to try see where but couldn’t see it,” she wrote.

Pictures of the crash site show a small white aircraft smashed into bushland.

What appear to be pieces of debris are scattered nearby.

Officers have established two crime scenes, with police currently on site.

People have been urged to avoid Oakdale. Picture: 7News

Three people have died after their light planes collided mid air. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

NSW Police earlier confirmed they were responding to reports of a crash in a statement shared to Facebook.

“Emergency services are responding to reports of a light plane crash,” the post read.

“Members of the public are urged to avoid Oakdale in Sydney’s southwest and surrounding areas.

“No further information is available at this time.”

The Oaks Rural Fire Brigade shared a similar post, urging people to “stay clear of the area and use caution around emergency vehicles”.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is set to undertake an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The crashes took place nearby The Oaks airfield, where Sydney Recreational Flying Club operates, though it is not known if either plane was associated with the club.

NewsWire has contacted the club for comment.

More to come.

Originally published as Two planes go down in fatal crash in Sydney’s southwest