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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Max McKinney

Tributes for man killed in light aircraft crash near Singleton

REMEMBERED: Scott Duncan. Picture: Facebook

TRIBUTES have flowed for a man killed in a light aircraft crash near Singleton at the weekend with friends remembering 40-year-old Scott Duncan as an "amazing advocate" for air sports.

Mr Duncan died after a gyrocopter he was a passenger in crashed on a property in Goorangoola, north-west of Singleton, on Sunday.

The 46-year-old pilot of the recreational vehicle survived and was flown to North Shore Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in a critical condition.

Mr Duncan was the owner of Skymec - a Newcastle-based company that deals in paramotors, paragliders and accessories.

Multiple tributes remembering him have been posted on social media in the past 24 hours.

"Mate you sure will be missed!! You were such an amazing advocate for our sport," Christopher Cook said.

"It's so unfair that you aren't here anymore to fly alongside!! One day man we will see each other again Thankyou for all your help!"

Michael Long wrote: "You will live on in happy memories with all whom you have shared time with mate. A life taken too young, but well lived, you will be missed bud. Hope to see you in the next life."

He added: "Thoughts are with your family and friends, and those of the pilot fighting for his life with extensive severe burns."

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was alerted to the crash by police on Sunday but a spokesman for the federal body said it would not be investigating the incident.

"As the accident on the weekend involved a gyrocopter, it is outside the investigatory remit of the ATSB, as we don't investigate accidents involving sports aviation," he said.

"Outside any investigation by the police or coroner, further investigation may be undertaken by ASRA - the Australian Sports Rotorcraft Association.

"ASRA self-administers the regulation of gyrocopters under the delegation of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority."

A spokesman for the Australian Sports Rotorcraft Association, which certifies pilots and registers aircraft, said it would likely assist with, rather than conduct, an investigation.

He confirmed Mr Duncan was an ASRA member.

A report regarding his death is being prepared for the coroner.

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