A friend has paid tribute to an experienced pilot who was found dead inside the wreckage of his light plane, which went missing in the Blue Mountains yesterday.
The pilot, 80-year-old Katoomba man Rod Hay, was the only person on board the single-engine aircraft, which was reported missing about 5:00pm on Saturday after taking off five hours earlier from Katoomba Airfield.
It is believed Mr Hay had 60 years of flight experience.
An ambulance helicopter found the wreckage of the aircraft about 200 metres from the Katoomba airstrip at Medlow Bath at 10:00am on Sunday.
Emery Williams, a friend of Mr Hay, said he was devastated when he heard the news.
"He was a lovely old guy, salt of the earth ... lots and lots of friends, a good bush pilot," Mr Williams said.
"I first met him, nearly 40 years ago now, when I was first learning to fly myself.
"He'd do anything for anyone, help anyone ... he helped out with the fire season, two years ago now."
Blue Mountains Police Inspector Peter Balatincz said the aircraft had suffered significant damage and was found in an area that was difficult to get to.
"A paramedic was winched in by helicopter to the scene, unfortunately the pilot was located deceased," Inspector Balatincz said.
"At this stage an investigation has commenced and that is being conducted jointly by police and Recreational Aviation Australia.
"Forensic investigators are on route to record the scene."
Inspector Balatincz said the investigation was in its infancy and at this stage it was unclear what the cause of the crash was.
When asked whether the plane was taking off or landing he said that the aircraft was in flight when it was last seen by a witness.
"The aircraft had taken off, had conducted two loops of the area here and then disappeared, so it was well and truly in the sky.
"No witnesses have come forward at this stage indicating they saw a crash or any wreckage."
'It's a traumatic experience for all people involved'
Inspector Balatincz said Mr Hay's relatives had been notified.
"It's a traumatic experience for all people involved, so they're noticeably upset. They are in a state of mourning and shock," he said.
"The information is that he is an experienced pilot, with years of experience.
"The wreckage is strewn over a large area of rugged bushland ... it's difficult to access."
He said the investigation may take a while.
"Investigations are ongoing, experts are arriving on scene and a brief will be prepared for the coroner," he said.
"It will be a painstaking procedure, because of the terrain, because of the area where some of the wreckage is strewn."
Mr Williams said Mr Hay was a good pilot and that "if he had wings on his arms he would fly".
"He absolutely loved to fly, lived to fly," he said.
"He was an awesome, friendly old man, with a great sense of humour ... an old bloke with some angel wings on."
Another friend, Tim Harris, paid tribute to Mr Hay on the Katoomba Airfield Facebook page.
"I'll truly miss seeing you flying around the the Blue Mountains," Mr Harris said.
"Thanks for taking me up once, I'll always fondly remember that flight. Blue skies mate."
Inspector Balatincz said a search was started yesterday after a family friend reported Mr Hay missing.
Ten aircraft, including nine helicopters and one plane, took part in the search for the airplane.
A statement from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which was coordinating the various authorities involved in the search, said initial reports from the ground indicated the crash was not survivable.
"AMSA extends our sympathy to the family and friends of the pilot and wishes to thank everyone involved in the search operation," the statement said.
(Culled from abc.net.au)
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