Qantas Pilot Among Three Killed in Sydney Mid-Air Crash
A tragic mid-air collision near Sydney, Australia, has claimed the lives of three people, including a 72-year-old Qantas pilot, in a crash involving a Jabiru and a Cessna 182 aircraft. The collision occurred over Belimbla Park in the Macarthur region on October 26, 2024, as confirmed by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Both aircraft were destroyed on impact, leaving no survivors.
Gary Criddle, an experienced Qantas pilot and flight instructor, was named as one of the victims. According to reports from 9News Australia, Criddle was providing flight instruction to another individual in the Cessna 182 when the two planes collided. Criddle had a distinguished career, flying for Qantas for 36 years following 20 years of service in the Australian Navy and Air Force.
The accident reportedly occurred shortly after the Jabiru took off from a nearby airfield, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. The ATSB, Australia’s lead agency for air transport safety, has launched a full investigation and dispatched a team of investigators from its Canberra office to the crash site.
“Captain Gary Criddle was a highly respected and loved member of the Qantas flying community,” expressed Qantas Chief Pilot Richard Tobiano in a statement following the tragedy. “We are deeply upset by the loss of Captain Criddle, whose contributions to aviation and dedication to instructing will be sorely missed.”
The ATSB team will conduct a comprehensive site examination to gather evidence, including site mapping and wreckage analysis, to understand the cause of the collision. “Over the coming days, investigators will undertake site mapping, examine the wreckage of both aircraft, and recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the ATSB stated.
The bureau plans to release a preliminary report in about two months to provide factual details gathered in the initial investigation phase. A final, in-depth report will follow after the investigation concludes, offering a complete analysis and findings regarding the incident. Witnesses and anyone with video footage of the accident are urged to contact the ATSB to assist with the investigation.
The ATSB emphasized that if any critical safety issues are identified during the investigation, it will alert relevant parties immediately to implement safety measures. “If at any point during the investigation we uncover any critical safety issues, we will immediately inform relevant parties so they can take safety actions,” the agency assured in its statement.
This tragic accident highlights ongoing concerns about air traffic safety in high-use airspaces. The loss of Captain Criddle, a veteran Qantas pilot, is a blow to the Australian aviation community, which mourns the loss of an experienced aviator known for his commitment to safety and education. The ATSB’s investigation aims to provide insights that could prevent similar tragedies in the future, ensuring improved airspace safety and operational protocols in Australia.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=Qantas