Third person killed in catastrophic mid-air plane crash is identified as trainee pilot Jake Anastas - as distraught wife of the 29-year-old breaks her silence
The identity of a third pilot to perish in a horrific mid-air collision has been revealed.
The identity of a third pilot to perish in a horrific mid-air collision has been revealed.
Jake Anastas, 29, was one of three people killed when two light planes collided over Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, in Sydneys southwest, about 11.50am on Saturday.
A Jabiru aircraft hit a yellow Cessna 182 in the sky and emergency services found the wreckage of the two planes spread more than one kilometre away from each other on the ground.
Mr Anastas and former Qantas pilot Gary Criddle, 72 were aboard the Cessna which is understood to have taken off from Cessnock in northern NSW.
The Jabiru aircraft took off a short time later piloted by Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, who also died of unsurvivable injuries in the crash and was found inside the wreckage of his plane.
The Cessna with the two co-pilots was travelling to Shellharbour Airport, near Wollongong, in the states south coast.
Mr Anastas had been completing his commercial pilot licence and was training when the tragic crash happened.
His widow, Tori, has broken her silence saying Mr Anastas was a kind person and loving partner.
Jake Anastas, 29, has been identified as the third person who died in a fatal mid-air collission between two light planes over Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, in Sydney s southwest, on Saturday
A Jabiru aircraft hit a yellow Cessna 182 in the air, killing three people (pictured a firefighter putting out the wreckage)
Emergency services were called to the area at 11:50am
Tori said her husband had been flying for half his life and loved being in the air.
[Jake was] a loving, caring and remarkable husband who had a tremendous impact on everyone in his life, she told 9News.
He loved flying and made everyone brighter and he always made me feel like she could soar with him.
Mr Criddle was also remembered as someone with a heart of gold who was passionate about flying.
His family paid tribute to the grandfather and said he spent 20 years in the Navy and Airforce before working for Qantas for 36 years.
Were absolutely devastated beyond words and in total shock by this tragic loss. Gary, affectionately known as Gaz, was a very much loved husband, father, grandfather and aviator, the family said in a statement.
Mr Anastas wife Tori said her husband had been flying for half his life and was completing his commercial pilot training
He was a mentor to many aspiring pilots and an avid adventurer with plans to sail the world. Gaz was full of fun, laughter and generosity.
His loss is immeasurable and he will be deeply missed.
Saturdays collision sparked a bushfire as one of the planes hit the ground, with emergency services rushing to extinguish the blaze before they could access the site.
Smoke was seen billowing into the sky above the scene of the crash, with witnesses reporting seeing a fireball to.
NSW Police Acting Superintendent Timothy Calman said damage at the scene suggested a mid-air collision which sent one plane straight down into the ground.
The mid-air crash happened in an uncontrolled airspace where there was a lot more traffic.
The scene that were closest to here that has been impacted by fire, it would not have been a survivable impact, Supt Calman said.
A second man, Khadervali Gagguturu , 60, (pictured) who was among three people killed in a horror light plane crash in Sydneys southwest on Saturday, has been identified
A bushfire was ignited in the crash site which stretched for one kilometre through the scrub between planes
The second scene thats a kilometre north of here, that aircraft did not burn, but it would also not have been survivable.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Joseph Ibrahim said 10 ambulance resources, including a helicopter, were deployed to the confronting scene but nothing could be done to save the men.
Police and Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) officers will be interviewing all witnesses of the crash in order to understand what happened.
Authorities have urged residents living near the area and members of the public to stay clear of the area as police and forensics teams continue their investigations.
