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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 6 sources · 3 days · First seen 14 days ago · Last updated 11 days ago

Light aircraft crash near Scone, New South Wales

Overview

On October 16, 2026, a kit-built Aeropup aircraft crashed near the Scone Aerodrome in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales. The two-seater plane, which was on the recreational register, reportedly climbed to approximately 145 meters before losing speed and altitude, entering an uncontrollable spin shortly after takeoff.

Both occupants, identified as 58-year-old Revel Downing and 63-year-old William Simons, were experienced recreational pilots from Western Australia. The men had traveled to New South Wales to inspect and purchase the aircraft, valued at approximately $38,000, with the intention of flying it back to their home state. Both men died on impact.

Emergency services responded to the wreckage site on Bunnan Road, where firefighters reported fuel spills. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Recreational Aviation Australia have been notified. An investigation into potential causes, such as mechanical error, weather, or pilot error, is being prepared for the coroner.

Entities

Australian Transport Safety Bureau · Revel Downing · Scone Aerodrome · William Simons · NSW Police

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Revel Downing, 58, died in a plane crash in New South Wales.
[● 3 SOURCES] William Simons, 63, died in the same plane crash.
[● 3 SOURCES] The crash occurred near Scone Aerodrome on Friday, October 16, shortly after takeoff.
[● 3 SOURCES] The aircraft involved was a two-seater kit-built Aeropup.
[● 3 SOURCES] The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been informed of the crash.
[● 2 SOURCES] The pilots had traveled from Western Australia to New South Wales.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The aircraft was a 2012-built model sold for $38,000.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Investigators are considering weather, pilot error, and mechanical error.

Timeline

11 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
Two pilots killed in Scone light plane crash
Two experienced pilots from Western Australia, Revel Downing and William Simons, died after their kit-built Aeropup aircraft crashed near Scone, NSW, shortly after takeoff on Friday.
14 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Two men killed in light plane crash near Scone, NSW
Two men, including Revel Downing, were killed when a kit-built light plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Scone, NSW, on Friday afternoon.

Sources

7news.com.au · communitynews.com.au · gloucesteradvocate.com.au · lakesmail.com.au · muswellbrookchronicle.com.au · singletonargus.com.au