Pilot killed in plane crash metres from NSW cafe

A pilot has died after his ultralight plane came down just metres from a packed cafe in the NSW Hunter Valley.

About 50 people were eating breakfast at the Lovedale Store and Cafe at 11.30am when an "almighty crash" rang out, owner Paul Brazier said.

"I've never heard anything like it," he said.

"Every single customer got up from their table."

Yet the wreckage could not be seen.

"We knew it was metal. We assumed it was a car crash," he said.

It wasn't until 20 minutes later, when one of the customers, an ex-pilot, drove away from the cafe that he caught a glimpse of orange through the trees.

The wreckage was only 15 metres from the cafe's front doors, Mr Brazier said.

"We climbed over the fence and there was this guy and the wreckage of a plane.

"We knew we couldn't do anything for him. He was clearly dead on impact, without a doubt."

Police confirmed the man, the sole occupant of the plane, was pronounced dead at the scene. His age is not known.

The crash site, just off a rural Lovedale Road, is close to Cessnock Aerodrome and Maitland Airport.