Tributes flow for ‘much-loved’ Par Avion pilot Nikita Walker

The pilot tragically killed in a plane crash in southern Tasmania has been remembered as a “bubbly, happy and energetic person”.

THE pilot tragically killed in a plane crash in southern Tasmania has been remembered as a “bubbly, happy and energetic person”.

Nikita Jo Walker, 30, of Tranmere, died when the twin-engine Par Avion aircraft she was flying collided with a mountain near Federation Peak in the Western Arthurs range about 8.30am on Saturday.

Airlines of Tasmania managing director Shannon Wells on Monday paid tribute to a “well-loved member of the team”.

“We’ve just been inundated with messages of support from public figures and customers,” Mr Wells said.

“It shows the character of Nikita.”

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Nikita Jo Walker, of Tranmere, died after her plane crashed near Federaton Peak on Saturday.

Mr Wells said the company was providing support for Ms Walker’s grieving family who had travelled down from Queensland following her death.

Ms Walker was originally from Maroochydore, about 100km north of Brisbane, but moved to Tasmania to further her career as a commercial pilot and joined Par Avion in 2016.

Mr Wells said she was an experienced and well-qualified pilot who had flown between Hobart and Melaleuca many times.

“We are mourning the loss of a great member of our team who was not only a work colleague but a much-loved friend to everyone at the airline,” he said.

“Our focus … is very much with the pilot’s family and friends, including their colleagues here at Airlines of Tasmania.”

In an Instagram post on May 26 this year, 12 months after she completed her commercial pilot licence, Ms Walker said: “I truly love my job.”

The hard-working pilot also had a love of fishing, surfing, boating and the Tasmanian wilderness.

Tributes have flowed for Ms Walker on social media with one colleague saying they had a great time working with the “bubbly, happy and energetic person”.

“Nikita flew us to Melaleuca in January,” Rosemary Sargison said.

Nikita Walker was a much-loved pilot for Par Avion. Picture: SUPPLIED

“We were blessed to have her company for the whole day as she also drove the boat we were in on Bathurst Harbour.

“Sincere condolences to her family on the loss of this gorgeous young woman who was so beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside.”

Mel Denman posted: “She flew us down there on Tuesday, a lovely lady.”

Ingrid Barker said Ms Walker was “so helpful and encouraging” for her son’s first flight while Zoe Rose paid tribute to an “amazing pilot, her passion for flying was so evident even in the few hours we had in the air with her”.

Tasmania Police said their thoughts were “with Nikita’s family and her loved ones at this difficult time”.

They will prepare a report for the Coroner.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the cause of the collision.

The plane turned back towards Hobart before it crashed in bad weather 100m below the summit of West Portal.

The ATSB said the plane was destroyed by the impact.

The final report is expected to be completed late next year.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB said they would immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to correct the problem.