Skydiving Plane Crash Claims Life of Experienced Pilot in NSW

A tragic incident unfolded in New South Wales, Australia, when a skydiving plane crashed shortly after eight skydivers exited the aircraft. The pilot, Paul Smith, aged 54, lost his life in the accident, which occurred near Moruya on March 15, 2024. Investigators confirmed that the skydivers safely jumped from approximately 14,000 feet just two minutes before the crash.

According to NSW Police Inspector Justin Marks, the aircraft came to rest in dense bushland adjacent to George Bass Drive, with one of its wings landing on the road itself. Smith, a former owner of a skydiving company, had an extensive background in aviation, logging over 10,000 hours as a pilot and nearly 40 years of experience in skydiving. His contributions to the sport earned him the Master of Sport Parachuting title from the Australian Parachute Federation in 2023.

As the sole occupant of the plane, Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. In response to the incident, authorities have established a crime scene for further examination. A report is being prepared for the coroner, while the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash’s causes and the safety protocols in place before the accident.

Investigation Underway

The ATSB is deploying a team of specialized transport safety investigators from its offices in Canberra and Brisbane to the crash site. Their work will include conducting a site survey using a drone, examining the wreckage, and recovering aircraft components for analysis at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.

Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated that it is premature to determine whether there were issues during the flight. Witnesses reported hearing unusual noises and observing erratic flight patterns moments before the crash. The single-engine Pilatus Porter aircraft had been operating in Australia for only a month prior to the incident, having been built in Switzerland around 1980 and brought over from New Zealand.

Mitchell further noted that a thorough maintenance check was conducted before the plane’s arrival in Australia. The aircraft had successfully completed several jumps in the week and a half leading up to the tragedy.

As the investigation continues, the skydiving community and local residents are mourning the loss of a well-respected figure who dedicated much of his life to the sport.