Probe into pilot's death after light planes collide

An investigation has been launched after a pilot died following a mid-air collision with another plane.

Emergency services responded to reports of a plane crash near a privately owned airfield in Sydney's southwest about 12.15pm on Sunday.

Police were told two light planes had collided mid-air, before one crashed in bushland near Wedderburn Airport, also known as Napper Field.

The two Vans RV-7 aircraft had reportedly been involved in a formation flight of four planes returning to land at the airport when the collision occurred.

Emergency services located the body of the pilot, believed to be the sole occupant of the aircraft.

Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will collect evidence from the accident site as they investigate the cause of the crash.

"One of the aircraft involved in the collision landed safety but the other aircraft collided with terrain and its pilot was fatally injured," the bureau said in a statement on Sunday.

Investigators will undertake site mapping, examine aircraft wreckage and damage, and recover any relevant components for further examination.

They will also interview the other pilots involved in the formation flight, as well as other witnesses and involved parties.

Air traffic control and flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information will also be assessed.

A preliminary report is set to be released by February.

Two occupants of a foreign-registered light plane were killed shortly after taking off from the same airport on Boxing Day 2022.

The amateur-built Glasair aircraft crashed in bushland, sparking a large scrub fire and claiming the lives of pilot Leigh Cunneen, 67, and his passenger Steve Donoghue.