Eight sky divers leapt out of a light plane minutes before it crashed and killed experienced pilot Paul Smith.

The light plane crash landed in thick bush near to Moruya Airport on NSW's South Coast on Saturday afternoon with Mr Smith the only remaining occupant of the aircraft.

The 54-year-old pilot and skydiving instructor died at the scene.

"He was a very well-respected, very experienced, and very well-liked local resident," Detective Inspector Justin Marks told reporters on Sunday.

"The death or sudden death of anyone in a small community is very tragic."

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

The crash happened roughly two minutes after the sky divers exited the plane at roughly at 14,000 feet to start their descent.

All eight landed safely within the airport grounds.

A

See Full Page