Pilot charged over fatal NSW crash

A pilot involved in a tragic plane crash that claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl has been charged with manslaughter.

The light plane crashed into the Clarence River at Ewingar on the NSW north coast on April 12.

The 53-year-old pilot and his 35-year-old male passenger managed to free themselves from the wreckage, police say.

But the passenger's young daughter was trapped and died at the scene.

Both men were hospitalised with serious injuries.

It was reported at the time the pilot had picked up the father and daughter from Murwillumbah for a joy flight to Tenterfield.

Following an investigation by police and the Civil Aviation Authority, the pilot, from Goonengerry which is west of Byron Bay, fronted Lismore Police Station on Wednesday.

He was issued with a notice to attend Lismore Local Court in October to face charges of manslaughter, recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm and endangering the life of another.

He was also charged for allegedly flying the plane below 500 feet.