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Two dead after small plane crashes into forested area west of Coffs Harbour Family mourns father and son who died in northern NSW plane crash
(1 day later)
Two men – believed to a Gold Coast father and son – have died after their small plane crashed into steep, forested terrain in northern New South Wales. A Gold Coast father and son who died after their small plane crashed in northern New South Wales bushland have been remembered as charitable men who lived life to its fullest.
Police confirmed the deaths after trekking to the crash site in the Dorrigo national park on Saturday afternoon. Jeff Hills and his son, Matthew, were found dead in the wreckage of their four-seater plane, which crashed in steep terrain in Dorrigo national park near Coffs Harbour, on Saturday.
The Mooney M20 four-seater plane dropped off radar while over that area, about 25km west of Coffs Harbour, about 7.30am on Friday. “They were incredibly generous of their time and their finances to support those in serious need within the Gold Coast community, interstate and overseas,” Jeff’s nephew, Craig Cameron, told reporters on Sunday.
But poor conditions including rain and fog prevented the crash site being spotted until Saturday morning and anyone being winched to the site by helicopter. “With Jeff’s three sons, Matt, Jamie and Josh, by his side, the Hills boys together embraced life to the fullest.
Police said the family of the men – believed to be aged their 50s and 20s and from the Gold Coast area – are being informed of the deaths. “Yes, Jeff and Matt will be deeply missed, but we are comforted that they are living in eternity with Christ their saviour.”
The light plane departed Murwillumbah in northern NSW at 6.30am on Friday and was scheduled to arrive in Taree at 8am. Jeff, in his 50s, and Matthew, in his 20s, set off from Murwillumbah in northern NSW at 6.30am on Friday and were scheduled to arrive in Taree at 8am.
The pilot’s associates – concerned the plane had not reached its destination – on Friday morning contacted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which deployed its Melbourne-based search and rescue jet. Their associates, concerned the plane dropped off the radar and had not reached its destination, reached out on Friday morning to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which deployed its Melbourne-based search and rescue jet.
A Westpac rescue helicopter critical care team assisted in the search. Poor weather and difficult conditions prevented search teams from locating and accessing the aircraft sooner.
The crash will now be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which asked any person who may have seen the aircraft flying in the vicinity of Mount Moombil or Dorrigo national park to go to atsb.gov.au/witness or call 1800 992 986. The crash will be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which asked any witnesses to come forward.
The ATSB investigation will examine the wreckage, interview witnesses and study any available flight, pilot or weather data. “Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant stakeholders so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken,” a spokesman said.
“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant stakeholders so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken,” a spokesman said on Saturday. It’s the second fatal plane crash in NSW in two weeks and the fifth nationwide in four months, according to ATSB data.
It is the second fatal flight crash in NSW in two weeks and the fifth fatal crash nationwide in four months, according to ATSB data.
A helicopter with five people on board plummeted into waters off Port Stephens, north of Newcastle, on 6 September while the sole occupant of a two-seater Liberty XL2 plane died near an airfield at Braidwood, NSW, on 6 August.
Crashes in Queensland involving a Yak-52 at South Stradbroke Island on June 5 and a Cessna 210 near Mount Isa on May 26 both claimed two lives each.
New South WalesNew South Wales
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