Eight skydivers made a timely jump from a plane just moments before it crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot, Paul Smith, aged 54. The fatal incident occurred in New South Wales, Australia.
According to NSW Police Inspector Justin Marks, the eight skydivers safely exited the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet, mere minutes before it went down in Moruya, a coastal town. The wreckage of the plane was found in dense bushland near George Bass Drive, with one of its wings resting on the road.
Paul Smith, a seasoned skydiver with nearly four decades of experience, held over 10,000 hours as a pilot in command. Recognized for his significant contributions to the sport, he was honored by the Australian Parachute Federation last year with the title of Master of Sport Parachuting.
Tragically, Mr. Smith was the sole individual aboard the plane during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have established a crime scene and are conducting an investigation, with a report to be presented to the coroner.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched its own inquiry into the circumstances leading to the crash and the adherence to safety protocols prior to the accident. A team of transport safety investigators specializing in aircraft operations, maintenance, and engineering will be dispatched to the crash site for further examination and evidence collection.
Chief commissioner Angus Mitchell mentioned that witnesses reported hearing unusual sounds and observing erratic flight patterns before the crash, though it is too early to determine the exact cause. The aircraft, a single-engine Pilatus Porter, had only recently begun operations in Australia after being transported from New Zealand.
Confirming that a thorough maintenance check had been conducted before its introduction to Australia, Mitchell noted that the plane had undergone several jumps in the preceding weeks.
