A grandfather and his three grandchildren have been identified as the pilot and passengers that perished in a light plane crash on Friday afternoon.
The five-seater experienced trouble and crash-landed in Gunderoo and burst into flames just minutes into its three-hour journey from Canberra Airport to Armidale, killing all on board.
Air traffic control audio of the final moments on board reveal a seemingly normal response, before further air traffic control calls to the five-seater Cirrus SR22 being referred to as Mike Sierra Foxtrot are met with a grim radio silence.
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“Four miles east to Canberra, resume navigation, and track direct to Cullen,” a traffic control voice can be heard orienting the pilot.
“Right, Cullen, Mike Sierra Foxtrot,” the pilot’s voice can be heard saying in the last audio recorded from the plane.
All four died instantly, 7NEWS understands.
“They are yet to be formally identified. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Police will continue to investigate the crash site after the plane went down.
It is understood the Cirrus had just taken off when it ran into trouble, departing from Canberra Airport about 2.35pm en route to Armidale, and vanishing from radar screens 16 minutes later.
NSW Ambulance, police and the Rural Fire Service were called to a property on Hadlow Dve, about 35km north of Canberra, just before 3pm following reports an aircraft had crashed and caught alight.
Superintendent Cath Bradbury said the scene that confronted first responders was horrific.
“When police arrived, with RFS services, there was a small grass fire and obviously a catastrophic collision of a small light aircraft,” Bradbury said in an update on Friday night.
“Unfortunately, there are no survivors.”
A local resident called emergency services after seeing the flames and smoke on impact.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and police established a crime scene as they investigate.
With minimal witnesses and a “significant crime scene”, there were no early indications as to how the crash occurred, Bradbury said.
“We really don’t have many details about the flight path of the plane, however, the collision is heavy impact which has caused a fire and no survivors,” she said.
“We ask that anyone else in this area who might have seen the plane just prior to the collision, whether it was incurring any trouble or what they saw afterwards, to contact police.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been notified.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said over coming days, investigators will map the site, examine the wreckage and recover aircraft components for further examination at technical facilities in Canberra.
“Investigators will also seek to interview any witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information,” Mitchell said.
A preliminary report on the crash is expected to be published in about six to eight weeks.
“The ATSB will publish a final report, detailing contributing factors and any identified safety issues, at the conclusion of the investigation,” Mitchell said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed the crash or may have video footage of the aircraft in any phase of its flight, to visit atsb.gov.au/witness.
– With AAP