Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the death of a pilot and skydiving instructor in a plane crash on the New South Wales south coast. Paul Smith, 57, died on September 27 when the aircraft he was piloting crashed in bushland north of Moruya Airport. This incident occurred shortly after a group of parachutists safely exited the plane.

According to a preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the turboprop Pilatus PC-6 had successfully completed eight parachute jump flights on the day of the crash. The aircraft took off from Moruya Airport for a ninth jump flight shortly before 2 p.m. At 2:06 p.m., Smith communicated that eight parachutists had exited the plane and that he was returning to the airport. However, less than 90 seconds later, the aircraft began a steep descent.

Witnesses on the ground reported seeing the plane enter a steep nose-down dive, rotating left before pitching up and rolling right, according to ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell. The aircraft crashed into bushland approximately 2.5 kilometers north of Moruya Airport, resulting in its complete destruction.

Smith, a highly qualified chief skydiving instructor with over 11,000 hours of flying experience, was found to have sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Investigators noted indications that he was not in his seat at the time of impact. "Consideration will be given to survivability aspects, given the pilot was almost certainly not in their seat when the collision occurred, and they were wearing their emergency parachute," Mitchell stated in the preliminary report released on Wednesday.

The investigation will also focus on the configuration of the plane's doors and whether Smith had the ability to exit the aircraft during the incident. Additionally, the horizontal stabiliser trim actuator, which influences the plane's elevation, was discovered in the full nose-down position. This component will undergo further examination as the investigation continues, along with recorded flight data and the aircraft's history.

The report indicated that the aircraft had been imported from New Zealand less than two months prior to the crash and had been certified as airworthy for operation in Australia. A maintenance overhaul was completed just before its arrival in Australia. A final report and analysis will be published at the conclusion of the ATSB investigation.