Two border men have lost their lives in a plane crash near Canberra.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Corryong teenager, 18, and 31-year-old Albury pilot, died while performing aerial inspections of the electrical network northeast of the capital on Tuesday night.
The pair were pilots with Albury-based Ober
Two border men have been killed while inspecting power lines in a tragic plane crash.
Albury man Hayden Bruce, 31, and Corryong teenager Tom Sheather, 18, died on Tuesday night when their Cessna 172 crashed near Canberra.
The pair were undertaking work for Essential Energy after taking off from Canberra Airport.
Mr Bruce and Mr Sheather - who are well known in the Border aviation community - worked for Oberon Aviation Services.
The business, which is based in the Albury Airport precinct, yesterday released a statement mourning the loss.
"This is a very difficult time for us - we're a small aviation business company, and family, and have lost two of our members," directors Stirling and Cheryl Preston said.
"Our focus right now is to provide support for the families of our crew members, and our staff, as we all grieve this loss.
"We can't speculate on what might have caused this tragic accident while formal investigations are underway.
"However, our families and staff can be assured that we will leave 'no stone unturned in finding the cause of this accident.
"Our staff and their families remain the focus of our thoughts and care.
"We won't be providing any further statements at this time while we support those impacted by this tragic event."
The plane had crashed into a paddock about 4.30pm after taking off about 1.30pm.
The exact cause of the crash was unclear.
Superintendent Paul Condon said the site of the crash has been turned over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is investigating the incident.
"We have forensic services that attended the scene last night and they were back out there [yesterday] during daylight for a short time," Superintendent Condon told the media.
The plane was seen by witnesses on the ground a short time before the crash.
An Essential Energy spokeswoman said the incident was a tragedy.
"We can confirm that the plane was performing contracted aerial inspections of the Essential Energy electricity network prior to the incident," the spokesman said.
"Essential Energy's thoughts remain with the families, friends and colleagues of the two people who died.
"Authorities are currently investigating the incident and Essential Energy is providing full support.
"It would not be appropriate for us to provide any further information while the police investigation is underway."
on Aviation Services.
They were conducting inspections for Essential Energy when their Cessna 172 fixed-wing aircraft crashed into a farming paddock in Sutton about 4.30pm.
The plane had taken off from Canberra Airport.
Albury-based Oberon Aviation Services released a statement on Wednesday saying it was a tragic time for the business.
"This is a very difficult time for us - we're a small aviation business company, and family, and have lost two of our members," the statement said.
"Our focus right now is to provide support for the families of our crew members, and our staff, as we all grieve this loss.
"We can't speculate on what might have caused this tragic accident while formal investigations are underway.
" However, our families and staff can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in finding the cause of this accident.
"Our staff and their families remain the focus of our thoughts and care.
"We won't be providing any further statements at this time while we support those impacted by this tragic event."
A crime scene was established at the scene.
Families of the deceased have been notified, police said.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Superintendent Paul Condon said the site of the crash has been turned over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is investigating the incident.
"We have forensic services that attended the scene last night and they were back out there [on Wednesday] during daylight for a short time," Superintendent Condon told the media.
Police have said the two victims were believed to have been subcontractors carrying out the electrical network monitoring.
The plane took off from Canberra Airport about 1.30pm on Tuesday.
The plane that crashed had flown the day before on Monday from Albury to Canberra without incident.
The plane, a Cessna-172, was owned by a company based in Albury.
Superintendent Condon said officers would continue to speak to witnesses in the area.
"Witnesses reported seeing the plane in its last moments before crashing into the ground," he said.
"The property owner [of where the plane crashed into] has not been spoken to yet."
IN OTHER NEWS:
In a statement on Wednesday, Essential Energy says the company's "thoughts remain with the families, friends and colleagues of the two people who died".
NSW Police Superintendent Paul Condon told reporters the incident was distressing for all involved.
"I've been to a number of plane crashes over my years of service and they're all horrific scenes," Superintendent Condon said.
"As you would expect, it's always a shock to (family) ... these things are just like car accidents, they happen suddenly and it not only affects the people and victims but families and the emergency services who attend."
Australian Associated Press