A SKYDIVING instructor has been tragically killed in a “death spiral” plane crash just minutes after eight people safely jumped from his aircraft.
54-year-old pilot Paul Smith was returning to Moryua Airport in New South WalesAustralia on Saturday when his plane smashed into bushland.
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Smith was leading a skydive for eight others, who had all successfully landed just minutes before he crashed, cops said.
He 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.
The aircraft reportedly struck “thick bushland” adjacent to George bass drive.
Police Inspector Justin Marks said: “The aircraft has come to rest in thick bushland adjacent to George Bass Drive, while the wing has come to a rest on George Bass Drive itself.”
“That will form part of our inquiries.”
Residents reported hearing a “big bang” as they described the horrific moment the plane went down.
One witness said: “It just started heading down really fast, spiralling, and then we just heard a big bang.”
Tragically, the man’s father-in-law also earlier died in a plane crash.
The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) has paid an emotional tribute to a “respected member” of the skydiving community.
Smith had previously won the organisation’s highest honour following a staggering four decades in the industry, ABC reports.
The firm’s CEO Stephen Porter said: “We are deeply saddened by this news.
“Paul was awarded the Master of Sport Parachuting in December 2024 for his positive and lasting contribution over many years.
“An award like that only comes around once a blue moon.”
The aircraft was a single-engine Pilatus Porter, built in Switzerland.
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell confirmed it had “done a number of jumps over the past week and a half.”
It is unclear, he added, when an official cause of death would be determined.