Two people have been killed after a light plane inspecting Essential Energy’s electricity network crashed north of Canberra.
New South Wales police confirmed that emergency services were called to a paddock on a property in the small township of Sutton about 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon following reports a plane had crashed.
The town is north of Canberra on the NSW side of the border with the ACT. The pilot and passenger on board – both men – died at the scene.
The plane, a Cessna 172, left Canberra airport about 1.30pm. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined but witnesses saw the plane spinning before it crashed. A bystander told the ABC the plane went into a tailspin before hitting the ground.
Emergency services remain at the scene of a light plane crash that’s killed two people on board at Sutton, north of Canberra. The aircraft, which belong to Essential Energy, took off from Canberra Airport @7NewsAustralia pic.twitter.com/i6qwxfymMo
— Olivia Leeming (@olivialeeming) April 13, 2021
A NSW Rural Fire Service spokeswoman said the plane was an Essential Energy Cessna fixed-wing aircraft.
In a statement, Essential said it was “aware of an incident that occurred late this afternoon where two people tragically died in a light plane crash”.
“We can confirm that the plane was performing contracted aerial inspections of the Essential Energy electricity network prior to the incident,” a spokesperson said.
“Essential Energy’s thoughts remain with the families, friends and colleagues of the two people who died. Authorities are currently investigating the incident and Essential Energy is providing full support. It would not be appropriate for us to provide any further information while the police investigation is underway.”
Officers from the Hume police district, firefighters and paramedics were called to the crash and a police spokesperson said officers had begun investigating “circumstances surrounding the crash”. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will also investigate.
In a statement, NSW police said Supt Paul Condon from the Hume district would address media regarding the crash on Wednesday morning.
Two people have been killed in a light plane crash in Sutton, near Canberra. https://t.co/HX5W5hvHFl #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/mN9vLfy6SC
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) April 13, 2021
