A PILOT has died after two planes smashed mid-air just minutes before landing.
The two light planes collided while in flight, leaving one hurtling to the ground in nearby bush-land in Sydney’s southwest.
Emergency services attended the scene after reports of the crash rolled in just after midday on Sunday.
The pilot – revealed to be Sydney Hills man Eddie Seve – was recovered a short time later.
It is believed he was the only person on board the plane.
The second pilot – Ollie Geragthy – managed to land safely at the airfield and was uninjured.
HUNT FOR BABY
Cops hunt for baby after pregnant woman, 22, found dead days before due date
SHOOTING HORROR
Four dead & 10 injured after gunman opens fire at children’s birthday party
Two crimes scenes were cordoned off after the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) launched an investigation alongside New South Wales Police.
A spokesperson from NSW Police said: “Members of the public are urged to avoid the area”.
Any witnesses or people with information about the crash have been urged to come forward.
The ATSB has revealed the two light planes were part of a four involved in an acrobatic formation flight.
They had been returning to land at the airfield when the fatal smash occurred.
The pilots were part of the Freedom Formation Display Team, which is the largest formation aerobatic display team in the Southern Hemisphere.
On Sunday afternoon, the team released a statement.
“The Freedom Formation Team can sadly confirm that there has been an accident involving some of our aircraft today in Sydney’s southwest,” it read.
“We are working to fully support the relevant authorities as they take the lead in coordinating the emergency response.
“We are also supporting the team members and their families.”
Investigators are set to examine the wreckage, before undertaking site mapping .
Any relevant components that are recovered will be sent to and examined at the bureau’s facilities in Canberra.
An ATSB spokesperson said the other pilots will be interviewed during the investigation.
“They will also collect relevant recorded information including any air traffic control and flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information,” the spokesperson added.