A unique memorial bench has been unveiled at Sydney Airport in honor of Jake Anastas, a former employee who tragically died in a plane crash. The bench, crafted from an antique airplane wing, is located beneath the airport's control tower. It serves as a tribute to Anastas, who was killed during his final commercial pilot license exam in October 2024. The memorial was revealed during a small ceremony held weeks after the one-year anniversary of Anastas's death. Adrian Witherow, chief operating officer of Sydney Airport, expressed the significance of the bench, stating, "The bench, created by Jake’s family, friends and colleagues, is a lasting tribute in a location that reflects his love of aviation. Jake is remembered with love and is deeply missed by everyone at Sydney Airport." Anastas, 29, was one of three fatalities in what his family described as a "freak" accident at Belimbla Park, located in Sydney's southwest. He was flying back to Wollongong from Cessnock with his instructor, Gary Criddle, a 72-year-old off-duty Qantas captain, when their plane collided with another aircraft that had just taken off from The Oaks Airfield. The pilot of the second plane, Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, also lost his life in the incident. Nichole Anastas, Jake's mother, recounted the moment she learned of her son's death. "I was at a wedding when it happened, with my phone on silent … a police officer was sent to the ceremony," she said. She described her grief as a state of disbelief, saying, "Sometimes I go through a day and can't even remember what I did. I keep questioning myself saying, 'How did that happen?'" The aviation community has been deeply affected by the tragedy. "It has shocked so many people within the industry, because this kind of thing just doesn't happen," Nichole Anastas added. Jake's passion for flying began at a young age. His mother recalled, "When he was a baby in a pram, he was always pointing up to the sky as planes were going by." He was one of the youngest students to take flying lessons at Shellharbour Airport, where instructors had to use telephone books to help him see over the cockpit. In the aftermath of his death, the family received an outpouring of community support, including food donations and 78 bunches of flowers on one occasion. Nichole Anastas shared a touching moment when she received a card from Jake's preschool teacher, who wrote a heartfelt letter recalling memories from when he was three years old. Jake's wife, Tori, also paid tribute to him, describing him as "loving and caring." She said, "He loved flying and made everything brighter; he always made me feel like I could soar with him." Family and colleagues gathered for the memorial earlier this week, highlighting the impact Jake had on those around him. "It was lovely to see how loved and respected he was from his work colleagues," Nichole Anastas said. "Because his passing hasn't just affected us — it has affected so many people in the wider community." The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is currently conducting an investigation into the crash.