Tear-jerking reason why three young relatives were in a small plane before it crashed In Tinamba West
- Two brothers and their cousin killed in plane crash
- The pilot was aged 20, others were 16 and 15
- READ MORE: Two brothers among three people killed in small plane crash at Tinamba West
Two young brothers and their cousin who died in a light plane crash on Saturday were on their way to take part in a family Christmas tradition.
Luke and Benny Smith, aged 20 and 16, and their cousin Dusty Daly, 15, were flying over Tinamba West in Victoria's Gippsland region when their plane crashed into a paddock in the late afternoon.
Luke, an experienced pilot, was flying his brother and cousin to Maffra to help put up Christmas lights for their grandmother.
The Smith and Daly families were reportedly gathering in the town to put up the decorations and to organise their Christmas holiday plans.
In a statement to the Herald Sun, the Smith and Daly families said they were grateful for all the support they have been getting.
'We are deeply saddened to confirm the loss of Luke Smith (20), Tongala, his brother Benny Smith (16), Tongala, and their cousin Dusty Daly (15), Tinamba West, on Saturday 16th November,' Tongala family members Alistair Smith, Leonie Smith and Tinamba West family members Amy Daly and Mathew Daly said.
'This is an incredibly difficult time for our family, and we kindly request privacy as we navigate through our grief.
'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this loss, and we ask for your understanding as we focus on supporting one another during this challenging period.
Luke (pictured) and Benny Smith, aged 20 and 16, and their cousin Dusty Daly, 15, were flying over Tinamba West when their plane crashed into a paddock on Saturday
Dusty Daly (pictured) was one of the three family members who died in the light plane crash
'We are grateful for the love and support from friends, family, and the community at large. Thank you for your respect and compassion.'
The Smiths are a well known family in Tongala in the state's Goulburn Valley, 222km north of Melbourne, and connected with local sporting clubs.
Counselling services to grieved friends were offered at the town's football club on Sunday, with the help of a psychologist from Headspace.
The Tongala Football/Netball Club and Tongala Cricket Club issued a statement about Luke and Benny and offered their condolences to the Smith and Daly families.
Daniel Cox and Travis Johnstone, the respective club presidents, said the clubs were shocked by the loss of the three boys.
'We offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Alistair (AJ) and Leonie, Ryan and Olivia, Amy and Mathew Daly, and their families,' the joint statement said.
'We also offer our unwavering commitment to support them all as a family during the unimaginable days ahead.
'Three beautiful, happy, vibrant, talented, and loved boys' lives have been tragically cut short.'
As well as playing football and cricket, Luke and Benny also volunteered at the canteen.
Luke, Benny and their brother Ryan all played together in a football game just three months ago.
'During the 2024 season, Luke played in the reserves side with his brother, Ryan,' the sport clubs' statement said.
'In August of this year, when we were short on numbers, Benny also filled in, so the three boys had the opportunity to play together for the first and now, tragically, the last time.
'A moment that their parents and the club will cherish forever.'
Benny Smith (pictured) died along with his older brother and their cousin in the plane crash
Adventure Flight Training at Moama Aerodrome praised Luke's piloting skills last June.
'Congratulations to Instructor Luke Smith for braving the Pitts and Acro endorsements! Very impressive mate,' a Facebook post accompanying an image of Luke with a small red aircraft said.
Flight Envelope and Edge Aviation consultant Lorraine MacGillivray told reporters that the bereaved families were 'broken' and 'in a lot of pain'.
'These families' lives have been changed forever,' she said.
Ms MacGillivray said Luke, who she did a consulting job for just two days before the fatal crash, was an experienced pilot.
She said he was 'diligent', 'committed' and 'passionate' about flying.
'He was also a flight instructor – they (the three victims) were all absolutely delightful human beings – so it's a terrible loss,' she said.
Ms MacGillivray added that she wanted 'to find out why these accidents are happening and try to prevent them from occurring in the future.
'It's got to stop – and we can't prevent every accident anymore than we can prevent every car accident – but we have to damn well try.'
Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the bureau had launched an investigation into the crash.
The ATSB 'has commenced a transport safety investigation into an accident involving an amateur-built light aircraft at Tinamba West, Victoria, on Saturday,' he said.
'As reported to the ATSB, the aircraft collided with terrain in a paddock and was destroyed in a post impact fire.
'The ATSB is deploying to the accident site a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra office, specialising in aircraft operations and maintenance.
'Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities on site, including wreckage examination and recovery of any relevant aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB's technical facilities in Canberra.'
The investigators also hope to interview witnesses and collect recorded information such as flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.
The ATSB hopes to publish a preliminary report, detailing the information collected in the investigation's early evidence gathering phase, in about six to eight weeks.
Locals recalled seeing the plane and hearing eerie noises from the skies just before it crashed into the field.
'I heard it circling over my place and it sounded strange,' one woman wrote on Facebook.
Another added: 'I heard it out in the distance, it didn't sound right.'
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
