 "The planes were part of a four-aircraft formation returning to land at Wedderburn Airport when they collided. (AI image)")
A pilot was killed on Sunday when two light aircraft reportedly collided mid-air during a formation flight over Sydney’s outskirts, sending one plane crashing into bushland while the other landed safely.
New South Wales state police said responders located the pilot’s body near Wedderburn Airport in the city’s southwest. According to police, the aircraft involved in the fatal crash was believed to have only the pilot on board. The second plane reached the airfield without incident, and its pilot was uninjured.
Collision during return to land
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confirmed it is investigating the incident, which involved two Van’s RV-7 aircraft—two-seater, single-engine homebuilt kit planes.
According to the ATSB, the planes were part of a formation of four returning to land at Wedderburn Airport when the collision occurred. One aircraft managed to land safely, while the other struck the terrain, fatally injuring its pilot.
Police stated that emergency services were told the planes collided before one crashed in nearby bushland. Investigators are now examining the circumstances that led to the mid-air impact.