Friends and neighbours of three people killed in a plane crash at Shellharbour Airport in New South Wales say their deaths are a "big loss to the community".

Andrew and Julianne Connors and Colin McLaughlin died after their plane crashed shortly after take-off about 10am on Saturday.

Witnesses told police the plane, which was intended to fly to Bathurst, had left the tarmac and risen about 30 metres into the air before the left wing appeared to dip and hit the tarmac.

It caught on fire after hitting the ground, killing all three people on board.

Mark Taylor from Avondale said the deaths were "hard to fathom".

"All three were absolutely fantastic people," he said.

Mr Taylor said Andrew and Julianne had been neighbours and friends for many years, and had "loved flying".

"[They] flew

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