A 54-year-old pilot died in a plane crash on the New South Wales South Coast on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. as the pilot was returning to Moruya Airport following a skydiving drop. The aircraft, a turboprop Pilatus Porter, was used by a local skydiving business.

Emergency services responded to reports of the crash, which took place in bushland west of George Bass Drive, about two kilometers north of the airport. Upon arrival, police found that the pilot, who was the only person on board, had died at the scene. The pilot has been identified as Paul “Poo” Smith, a well-respected figure in the skydiving community and the owner of the skydiving company.

Authorities have established a crime scene and are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been notified and is sending a team of investigators from its offices in Canberra and Brisbane. They are expected to arrive at the crash site on Sunday morning.

An ATSB spokesperson stated that investigators will gather evidence, examine the wreckage, and interview witnesses. They will also collect flight tracking data, maintenance records, and weather information relevant to the incident. The ATSB is appealing to anyone with video footage of the aircraft during its flight or immediately after the crash to come forward.

Smith was a highly experienced pilot with over 10,000 hours logged in command, primarily flying skydivers. He had been involved in the sport for nearly 40 years and was recently awarded the Australian Parachute Federation’s highest honor for his contributions to skydiving.

Witnesses reported hearing the plane's engine making unusual noises before the crash. One witness, Dean Cameron, described the sound as a loud roar, initially mistaking it for an acrobatic maneuver. He later expressed an eerie feeling upon realizing the plane had gone down.

The ATSB is also coordinating with the Australian Parachute Federation, which has expressed its condolences and support for the investigation. This incident marks the second plane crash in the South Coast region in recent weeks, following another crash on September 18 that resulted in a fatality.