A young pilot is dead and another has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after two separate light aircraft crashed in South Australia’s outback within hours.
A light aircraft crashed in a field near Mulgathing, about 260km south-west of Coober Pedy and about 830km north-west of Adelaide, about 9.30am on Thursday.
Due to the distance, it took several hours for police, emergency services and the Royal Flying Doctor Service to reach the scene of the accident.
The pilot and sole occupant of the plane, Adam Snell, 22, was killed in the crash.
The Kiwi expat obtained his pilot’s license in New Zealand four years ago and has been working as a pilot at a local station, Jumbuck Pastoral, for the past seven months.
Mr Snell’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes, with one close friend describing him as funny, honest and trustworthy.
Adam Snell died after his light aircraft crashed into a paddock near Mulgathing in South Australia’s outback
Adam Snell has been working as a pilot at a local station Jumbuck Pastoral for the past seven months
At around 2pm, emergency services received reports that a second light aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Evelyn Downs, north of Coober Pedy.
The male solo pilot, 42, from Arcoona, was flown more than 1000km to Adelaide and suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an investigation into both accidents.