A man who was among three people who died when two small planes collided in a horrific crash has been identified.
Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, died when his Jabiru plane collided with a yellow Cessna 182 over Belimbla Park in Oakdale, south-west Sydney, about 11.50am on Saturday.
Emergency services responded to the scene and found the plane one kilometer north of the wreckage of the Cessna 182.
Gagguturu died at the scene after suffering “injuries that did not allow him to survive.”
He has been remembered as someone who was passionate about flying and had a “heart of gold.”
Also killed were former Qantas pilot Gary Criddle, 72, and an unidentified man, 29, who were on board the Cessna.
The Cessna is believed to have taken off shortly before Cessnock in northern New South Wales.
The plane was headed to Shallharbour Airport, near Wollongong, on the state’s south coast.
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.
Criddle’s family paid tribute to the grandfather, saying 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.
‘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” toward Seven news.
Emergency services were called to the scene (pictured) after the two planes crashed in mid-air before locating three men, who had died.
Mr Gagguturu (pictured) has been remembered as someone who was passionate about flying and had a heart of gold.
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.
“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.