A SKYDIVING instructor has been tragically killed in a "death spiral" plane crash just minutes after eight people safely jumped from his aircraft.

Paul Smith, a 54-year-old pilot was returning to Moryua Airport in New South Wales , Australia on Saturday when his plane smashed into bushland.

He had been leading a skydive for eight others, who had all successfully landed just minutes before he crashed, cops said.

Mr Smith was just 2km away from his destination when his plane tragically careered into the bushland.

He died at the scene.

NSW cops and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau launched an urgent investigation into the crash - including, searching the site.

Police Inspector Justin Marks confirmed the aircraft struck "thick bushland" adjacent to George bass drive.

He s

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