Man killed in 'unsurvivable' mid-air light plane crash over Sydney is identified
- Elderly man had a passion for flying
- He was among three people killed in the crash
- READ MORE: Three killed in light plane crash
A man who was among three people killed when two light planes collided in a horror crash has been identified.
Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, died when his Jabiru aircraft hit a yellow Cessna 182 over Belimbla Park, in Oakdale, in Sydney's southwest, at about 11.50am on Saturday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and found the plane a kilometre north of the wreckage of the Cessna 182.
Mr Gagguturu died at the scene after he suffered 'unsurvivable injuries'.
He has been remembered as someone who was passionate about flying and had a 'heart of gold.'
Former Qantas pilot Gary Criddle, 72 and an unidentified 29-year-old, who were on board the Cessna, were also killed.
The Cessna is understood to have taken off a short time earlier from Cessnock in northern NSW.
The plane was travelling to Shallharbour Airport, near Wollongong, in the state's south coast.
A second man, Khadervali Gagguturu , 60, (pictured) who was among three people killed in a horror light plane crash in Sydney's southwest on Saturday, has been identified
Mr Criddle's family paid tribute to the grandfather and said he spent 20 years in the Navy and Airforce before working for Qantas for 36 years.
'We're 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.
'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.'
Saturday's 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 Seven News.
Emergency services rushed to the scene (pictured) after the two planes crashed mid-air before they located three men, who were deceased
Mr Gagguturu (pictured) has been remembered as someone, who was passionate about flying and had a heart of gold
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 we're closest to here that has been impacted by fire, it would not have been a survivable impact,' Supt Calman said.
'The second scene that's 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 scene as police and forensics teams continue their investigations.
