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Off-duty Qantas pilot dead in mid-air collision
A mid-air collision between two small aircraft near Sydney has claimed the life of a veteran Qantas pilot.
Qantas pilot Gary Criddle, 72, was confirmed as one of three people dead.
The weekend mid-air accident involved a Jabiru light aircraft and a Cessna 182, which was carrying two people.
All three people died.
The two planes went down in bushland southwest of Sydney close to Belimbla Park.
One burst into flames on impact with the ground, while witnesses say they saw debris falling.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating what caused the collision.
“Over coming days, investigators will undertake site mapping, examine the wreckage of both aircraft, and recover any relevant components for further examination,” the ATSB said.
Australian media said off-duty pilot Criddle was instructing another person in the Cessna when the collision happened.
Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, was named as the pilot of the Jabiru plane.
“Captain Gary Criddle was a highly respected and loved member of the Qantas flying community,” said Qantas Chief Pilot Richard Tobiano.
Criddle had been flying for Qantas for nearly four decades.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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