A light plane crash at Charleyong near Nerriga this morning claimed the life of the pilot and sole occupant of the plane.
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The pilot, from Picton, whose name has not yet been released, was originally to land at the Hannaford's horse stud. He had been travelling in tandem with a friend and had left Moruya earlier in the morning for the short flight to Charleyong.
However, his friend who had already safely landed on the Hannaford property's airstrip, contacted him and advised that the airstrip would not be suitable for his plane to land safely. The pilot then said he would fly on to Canberra.
Mr Hannaford said they watched as he circled the airstrip at what Mr Hannaford estimated to be about 600 feet altitude, and then flew south before turning and flying back towards them. He then banked sharply and the plane went into a downwards spiral.
Mrs Hannaford and the other man ran over to the plane but the pilot was deceased.
Emergency services were called to the property and a crime scene was established. Acting Inspector Ben Bowles from Queanbeyan said that the Monaro Police District was informed of the crash at approximately 11.30 this morning and officers attended. Braidwood Fire and Rescue and Braidwood RFS also attended the scene. Investigators and emergency services were still at the scene at 3.30 this afternoon.
Mr Hannaford said that the pilot was an experienced pilot with over 800 hours flying experience. "It makes you realise how fragile we all are," he said. "Life can change in a heartbeat."
Acting Inspector Bowles and Mr Hannaford both expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased man. "An awful, awful day," said Mr Hannaford.
He said that the fixed wing light plane was "mostly intact", and that a report will be provided to the coroner.