A young pilot was due to celebrate his 21st birthday in just five weeks when he tragically died in a small plane crash.
Jack Miller, 20, died when his Cessna 150 light aircraft crashed near the Bacchus Marsh airfield, about 50 kilometers northwest of Melbourne, at 11.20am on Tuesday.
Shortly after takeoff, Mr. Miller’s plane descended and crashed into a meadow adjacent to the airfield.
Mr. Miller’s grieving sister, Nicole Miller, said 7NEWS She is devastated by the loss of her “best friend,” whom she remembers as a “loving and kind-hearted” man.
“I couldn’t believe it, I thought surely not because that wouldn’t happen to a guy as cool as Jack,” he said.
‘He won’t be here for his 21st birthday, which we would have loved to celebrate.
“It’s going to be a really difficult day for everyone.”
Miller said the family takes comfort in knowing Miller died doing what he loved.
Jack Miller, 20, died when his Cessna 150 light aircraft crashed near the Bacchus Marsh airfield, about 50 kilometers northwest of Melbourne, at 11.20am on Tuesday.
His sister has remembered him as her ‘best friend’ and ‘hero’
He described his intelligence, his passion for flying and said he loved watching old war movies.
“Not many people can say they went out to do exactly what they loved,” he said.
After working hard to achieve his dream, Miller earned his pilot’s license earlier this year.
“He’s just my hero, I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such an amazing brother,” Miller said.
She told everyone who knew him that her brother was a genuine, loving and kind-hearted person.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an investigation into the accident that occurred near the Bacchus Marsh airfield, about 50 kilometers northwest of Melbourne, at 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the accident.
“Investigators will conduct a series of evidence-gathering activities at the site, including examining the wreckage, mapping the site with a drone, and recovering any relevant components of the aircraft for further examination at technical facilities. of the ATSB in Canberra,” said an ATSB spokesperson.
“Investigators will also attempt to interview witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information, including flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.”
Miller said the results of the investigation will not alter the devastating loss the family feels.
“We still don’t have him and nothing will ever fix the place he had in our lives,” she said.
The Herald of the Sun reported that Mr Miller’s plane was operated by the Bacchus Marsh Aero Club and a source said his death was very distressing.
“The thoughts of the Bacchus Marsh Aero Club and the wider aviation community are with the pilot’s family at this very difficult time,” they said.
“I was doing something I loved.”