Pilot killed after mid-air collision

Two light planes collided mid-air during a formation flight over the outskirts of Sydney yesterday, causing one to crash and killing its lone pilot, authorities reported. Emergency crews discovered the pilot’s body in bushland near Wedderburn Airport, in Sydney’s south-western suburbs, according to New South Wales police. 

“It was reported that two light planes collided mid-air before one crashed nearby in bushland,” police said.
The other plane landed safely on runway 35 at the airfield, and the pilot was uninjured.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said it was investigating a collision between two Van’s RV-7 aircraft – two-seater, single-engine home-built kit planes. The two aircraft had been involved in a formation flight of four aircraft that was returning to land at Wedderburn Airport (YWBN) when the collision occurred, it said in a statement.

It's believed the pilots were part of the Freedom Formation Display Team.

Aircraft No.1 Information
Owner / Operator: Private Owner 
Aircraft: Vans RV-7A

Registration: VH-NMG

Engine: Lycoming YIO-360-M1B

Serial Number: 73232

First Flew: 2009

Age: 16 Years 


Aircraft No. 2 Information

Owner / Operator: Private Owner 

Aircraft: Vans RV-7A 

Registration: VH-EWS

Serial Number: 73226

Engine: Lycoming YIO-360-M1B

First Flew: 2012

Age: 13 Years 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot’s family and friends during this difficult time.