The identity of the third pilot who died in a horrific mid-air collision has been revealed.
Jake Anastas, 29, was one of three people who died when two small planes collided over Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, south-west of Sydney, about 11.50am on Saturday.
A Jabiru plane collided with a yellow Cessna 182 in the sky and emergency services found the wreckage of the two planes scattered on the ground more than a kilometer away from each other.
Mr. Anastas and former Qantas Pilot Gary Criddle, 72, was on board the Cessna, which is believed to have taken off from Cessnock in northern New South Wales.
The Jabiru plane took off a short time later, piloted by Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, who also died from “non-survivable injuries” in the crash and was found inside the wreckage of his plane.
The Cessna with the two co-pilots was heading to Shellharbour Airport, near Wollongong, on the state’s south coast.
Anastas was completing his commercial pilot license and training when the tragic accident occurred.
His widow, Tori, broke the silence, saying that Anastas was a kind person and a “loving” partner.
Jake Anastas, 29, has been identified as the third person who died in a fatal mid-air collision between two small planes over Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, south-west of Sydney, on Saturday.
A Jabiru plane collided in mid-air with a yellow Cessna 182, killing three people (pictured, a firefighter extinguishing the wreckage)
Emergency services responded to the area at 11:50 a.m.
Tori said her husband had flown half his life and loved being in the air.
“(Jake was) a loving, caring and extraordinary husband who had a tremendous impact on everyone in his life,” she told 9News.
“He loved to fly and made everyone shine brighter and always made me feel like she could fly with him.”
Mr. Criddle was also remembered as someone with a “heart of gold” passionate about flying.
His family paid tribute to the grandfather and said he spent 20 years in the Navy and Air Force before working for Qantas for 36 years.
“We are absolutely devastated beyond words and in total shock at this tragic loss. “Gary, affectionately known as Gaz, was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and airman,” the family said in a statement.
Mr. Anastas’ wife Tori said her husband had been flying half his life and was completing commercial pilot training.
‘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.”
Saturday’s collision sparked a bushfire when one of the planes hit the ground, and emergency services rushed to extinguish the fire before they could access the scene.
Smoke was seen rising into the sky above the crash scene, and witnesses reported seeing a “fireball.”
NSW Police Acting Superintendent Timothy Calman said damage at the scene suggested a mid-air collision that sent a plane “straight” to the ground.
The mid-air accident occurred in uncontrolled airspace where there was “a lot more traffic.”
“The closest scene we have been hit by the fire would not have been a survivable impact,” Superintendent Calman said.
A second man, Khadervali Gagguturu, 60 (pictured), has been identified as being among three people who died in a horror small plane crash in Sydney’s southwest on Saturday.
At the crash site, a forest fire broke out and spread for a kilometer in the undergrowth between the planes.
“The second scene, which is a kilometer north of here, is that the plane did not burn, but it would not have been possible to survive either.”
NSW Ambulance Inspector Joseph Ibrahim said 10 ambulances, including a helicopter, were deployed to the scene of the “confrontation” but nothing could be done to save the men.
Police and officers from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will interview all witnesses to the accident to understand what happened.
Authorities have urged residents living near the area and the public to stay away from the area as police and forensic teams continue their investigations.