A routine skydive has ended in tragedy on the NSW south coast, with veteran pilot Paul Smith losing his life when the light aircraft he was flying crashed near Moruya airport.

The 54-year-old, who had more than two decades of flying experience, was the only person left on board when the plane went down in dense scrub on Saturday afternoon.

Emergency crews confirmed he died at the scene.

Just minutes earlier, eight skydivers had leapt from the aircraft at around 14,000 feet. Each landed safely inside the airport grounds.

“He was a very well-respected, very experienced, and very well-liked local resident,” Detective Inspector Justin Marks told the Guardian.

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

Authorities said the crash took place roughly two minut

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