Eight skydivers successfully left plane before crash that killed pilot

The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) has confirmed 8 skydivers had successfully landed anterior to a plane crash that killed a aviator successful confederate NSW yesterday.

The Pilatus Porter level was returning from a skydiving tally successful Moruya, 305 kilometres southbound of Sydney, erstwhile it collapsed adjacent to Moruya Airport successful bushland westbound of George Bass Drive.

Pilot Paul Smith, 54, was nan only caretaker connected committee and died successful nan crash.

In a statement, APF main executive Stephen Porter said his thoughts were pinch nan friends and family of nan pilot, arsenic good arsenic nan passengers who disembarked from nan level earlier nan crash.

"This is incredibly distressing and our thoughts and hearts are pinch everyone astatine nan scene, nan pilot's family and friends, and nan full skydiving organization which is successful shock," he said.

"We convey each of nan first responders and emergency services."

He also confirmed nan federation was cooperating pinch authorities, pinch nan Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) confirming it is investigating nan incident.

"The ATSB is deploying a squad of carrier information investigators from its Canberra and Brisbane offices, specialising successful craft operations, attraction and engineering, to nan mishap site," an ATSB connection said.

"Investigators will besides activity to question and reply progressive parties and witnesses, and cod applicable recorded accusation including formation search data, aviator and craft attraction records, and upwind information."

Anyone pinch video of nan craft during aliases instantly aft nan formation is being urged to interaction investigators.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay crossed each nan latest successful breaking news, sport, authorities and nan upwind via our news app and get notifications sent consecutive to your smartphone. Available connected the Apple App Store and Google Play.