Son plays tribute to 'fearless' father killed in Sydney light plane collision

A son has paid tribute to his "fearless" father who was killed after two planes collided in Sydney's south-west.

Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, was flying one of the light aircraft.

His son Saleem Gagguturu said everyone who knew him was "devastated," adding "he died doing what he loved".

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"He was fearless, brilliant, and above all else, a generous and loving man with a heart of gold," Saleem said in a statement.

"He went out of his way to help anyone and everyone.

"My mother, brother and I love him so much and his loss has left us, and all our family and friends, devastated and broken.

"Despite being a highly intelligent mechanic, programmer and pilot, his lifelong passion has been flying, and he died doing what he loved.

"We will miss him forever."

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Gagguturu was in a Jabiru plane flying out of The Oaks, south-west of Sydney.

An off-duty Qantas captain was flying the other plane.

Grandfather Gary Criddle, 72, known by his friends and family as Gaz, was one of two men aboard the Cessna 182 that left Cessnock bound for Shellharbour Airport on Saturday.

Criddle's family said he had flown for Qantas for 36 years.

He also spent 20 years in the Navy and Air Force, his family said, where he was a member of The Roulettes display team.

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"We're absolutely devastated beyond words and in total shock by this tragic loss. Gary, affectionately known as Gaz, was a very much loved husband, father, grandfather and aviator," his family said in a statement.

"He was a mentor to many aspiring pilots and an avid adventurer with plans to sail the world. Gaz was full of fun, laughter and generosity.

"His loss is immeasurable and he will be deeply missed."

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Qantas chief pilot Richard Tobiano said in a statement the airline was "deeply upset" and would be supporting his family, friends and colleagues.

"Captain Gary Criddle was a highly respected and loved member of the Qantas flying community," Tobiano said.

His son Jeff told 9News: "I just want the world to know the amazing man he was."

The pilot was instructing a 29-year-old pilot inside a Cessna travelling from the Hunter to Wollongong around midday yesterday when it collided with the other light plane over Belimbla Park, in the Macarthur region.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has taken over the investigation.

The ATSB is looking into both aircraft's histories.

A Jabiru matching the model and serial number of Gagguturu's plane was involved in a crash with a previous owner in 2022.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the bureau was looking for "anything that can give a better idea of what has occurred, the altitudes they were at, types of speeds at the time".

"This is known as 'glass-g' or non-controlled airspace, so it's very much up to the pilots in a "see and avoid" principle," he said.

This marks the seventh mid-air collision in Australia over the past five years.

The investigation is focusing on whether both planes were following communication protocols.