NSW: Family shattered over fatal plane crash
25 Dec 2008 8:51 PM
SYDNEY, Dec 25 AAP - The pilot of a fatal plane crash is lucky to be alive but his family is grieving the death of his brother-in-law.
The 38-year-old was flying a single-engine Cessna with a 32-year-old male passenger when it crashed into rugged NSW terrain.
The Seven Network reported that the pilot and the deceased were brother-in-laws.
Police say the plane left Mudgee on Wednesday en route to Glen Innes but crashed on the side of a steep ravine in The Great Dividing Range near Merriwa in the Upper Hunter.
The pilot was able to radio an approximate location of the crash site on Wednesday and at about 10am (AEDT) on Thursday the upturned plane was spotted.
"A 32-year-old man, who was a passenger in the aircraft, was located deceased at the scene," police said in a statement.
The pilot was airlifted to Westmead Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
A hospital spokeswoman said the survivor suffered hip and shoulder injuries and minor head injuries.
"He's very, very lucky," the spokeswoman said.
She did not confirm the men were related but said his family "were all a bit shattered" when they arrived at the hospital.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the crash and police will prepare a report for the NSW coroner.
