Three people were killed in plane crash at Shellharbour Airport, south of Wollongong.
Tragic Plane Crash at Shellharbour Airport
In a heartbreaking incident on Saturday morning, three people lost their lives when a light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Shellharbour Airport, just south of Wollongong.
The plane had only been in the air for a few seconds, bound for Bathurst in New South Wales, before the tragedy struck.
What Happens Next?
Authorities have launched a full investigation. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and NSW Police are now working together to uncover what caused the fatal crash.
Emergency services respond to a plane crash around 10am on Saturday at Shellharbour Airport. (ABC News)
Tragedy at Shellharbour Airport
Three people have tragically lost their lives after a light aircraft crashed at Shellharbour Airport in NSW’s Lake Illawarra area on Saturday morning.
Around 10am, emergency crews rushed to the scene following reports that a Piper Cherokee Lance aircraft had gone down just 20 kilometres south of Wollongong.
According to Chief Inspector Aaron Wunderlich, the private plane was bound for Bathurst in the state’s central west when disaster struck only moments after takeoff.
“The plane lifted from the tarmac and reached about 30 metres in the air before it suddenly dipped to the left — the wing struck the ground, and it crashed,” Inspector Wunderlich said.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fatal crash.
Plane Bursts Into Flames After Tragic Crash at Shellharbour Airport
Moments after hitting the ground, the aircraft erupted into flames, killing all three people on board.
Police have confirmed that the owner of the plane was among those who tragically lost their lives in the crash.
Authorities remain at the scene as investigations continue into what caused the fatal accident.
Shellharbour Airport is about 20km south of Wollongong. (ABC News)
Heroic Response, but No Chance of Survival
Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Andrew Barber said that a local Rural Fire Service (RFS) crew happened to be conducting training at Shellharbour Airport when the crash occurred.
Within moments, 10 to 15 RFS volunteers — along with staff from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Museum based at the airport — rushed toward the burning wreckage to help.
“They were on the scene within minutes,” Inspector Barber said.
“However, due to the intense fire and fuel combustion, the occupants had no chance of being saved.”
Emergency teams worked quickly to extinguish the flames, but sadly, all three people on board were pronounced dead at the scene.
Inspector Aaron Wunderlich from Lake Illawarra Police Department said the crash was “quite a gruesome scene.” (ABC News: Penny Burfitt)
Investigators Seek Answers After Tragic Shellharbour Plane Crash
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell confirmed the crash occurred within seconds of take-off.
“There was a very short time period between taxiing, take-off, and when the accident occurred,” Mr. Mitchell said.
“It’s fair to assume something went wrong very quickly, just as the aircraft left the ground.”
ATSB investigators from Canberra and Melbourne have been deployed to the crash site and were expected to arrive Saturday afternoon to begin examining the wreckage and determining what caused the fatal tragedy.
Cause Still Unknown as Investigation Begins
Mr. Mitchell said it was too early to determine the cause of the crash, but confirmed that the ATSB would conduct a comprehensive investigation, reviewing every possible factor — including maintenance records, flight data, and weather conditions at the time.
“It will take us some time to build a clearer picture of what went wrong,” Mr. Mitchell explained.
The ATSB’s findings will help determine what led to the tragic accident and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
