David Stephens, a 74-year-old experienced pilot from Bega, was flying a private flight from Wangaratta in Victoria to Moruya on the NSW South Coast on Tuesday when the aircraft failed to arrive as expected.
Knowing the unpredictable mountain weather, his wife Lynda Leigh said he disappeared “on his flight home … after having his aircraft inspected” in Victoria.
It is believed that Stephens, a member of the Frog’s Hollow Flyers aero club and a rally sport commentator on the Sapphire Coast region, was an accountant just two months from retirement.
The wreckage of the Beechcraft Debonair light aircraft was located about 4pm on Thursday in snow-covered terrain, roughly 10km east of Khancoban, and Stephens’ body was found near the crash site about 3pm on Friday.
“While he is yet to be formally identified, police believe the body is that of the missing pilot,” NSW Police said in a statement.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Aircraft Completely Destroyed in Crash
The wreckage of the plane was almost completely destroyed in the crash, according to NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet.
“You wouldn’t recognise it as an aeroplane,” he told reporters. “It’s a significant impact, a fair bit of speed into the mountain range which has completely destroyed that aircraft. It wouldn’t be survivable.”
Stephens’ family was looking forward to spending more time with him after decades of work, making the situation even more heartbreaking.