Wagga man killed in South Coast plane crash

 A Wagga resident killed in a light plane crash off the South Coast has been remembered as a gentleman and a highly regarded flying instructor. 

Graham White, a contractor at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy who conducted flying tests for cadets and instructors since 2010, was one of two men aboard a light plane that crashed into the ocean off Barlings Beach, south of Batemans Bay, about 12.10pm on Sunday.

His body was recovered from the ocean on Sunday afternoon.

Mr White, 60, had also been an instructor and member of the Temora Aero Club for the past five years.

The president of the Temora Aero Club, Robert Maslin, said while Mr White only visited the town intermittently, he was highly regarded by its aviation community and would be sadly missed.

"He was very well liked by the aviation community (in Temora) and highly rated and regarded in the aviation community as a whole," Mr Maslin said.

"It's a very sad occasion that we've lost an experienced instructor and what I considered a real gentleman."

Mr White had been in Temora as recently as Saturday for a function at the town's Airpark Estate that evening.

Having purchased a block at the Airpark Estate, Mr White had plans to relocate to Temora and build a hangar and home on his site, according to Mr Maslin.

"He was somebody we were really looking forward to see settle in the estate," he said.

"His experience and services would've been greatly appreciated by all out there."

http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au
 
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Divers on the scene.