A former Qantas pilot has been identified as one of three victims of a horrific plane crash in Sydney’s southwest.
Grandfather Gary Criddle, 72, affectionately known as ‘Gaz’ to his loved ones, died when two small planes crashed into each other at Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, at 11.50am on Saturday.
Criddle and a 29-year-old man were traveling in a Cessna 182 from Cessnock to Shellharbour Airport when they collided with a Jabiru ultralight aircraft, which is believed to have taken off from The Oaks airfield.
Both the men and the Jabiru’s sole occupant, the 60-year-old pilot, suffered “irreparable injuries” and died at the scene.
Criddle’s family said he spent 20 years in the Navy and Air Force before working for Qantas for 31 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,” his family said in a statement.
Gary Criddle, 72, has been identified as the first victim of Saturday’s small plane crash.
Emergency services were called to Belimbla Park, Oakdale, just before midday on Saturday (a firefighter is pictured at the scene)
‘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.”
The 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.
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.”
He is pictured with his wife Sue Criddle.
New South Wales Police confirmed the crash was fatal and three men died.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will be responsible for investigating what went wrong.
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 ATSB officers will interview all witnesses to the accident to understand what happened.
A person who lives in the area said on Facebook that he saw an open parachute and a plane in a dive.
Another resident said he heard a “loud bang” before everything went quiet.
‘Normal engine sounds, then a loud pop, sputtering, then silence. “He ran out of the paddock to try to see where, but he couldn’t see it,” he wrote.
The planes crashed near the Sydney Recreational Flying Club and Dave’s Flying School, but it is not known if any of the planes were associated with the schools.
