SECONDS AFTER TAKEOFF — PILOT REVEL DOWNING, 58, AND HIS 63-YEAR-OLD FRIEND DIE IN DEVASTATING PLANE CRASH

They had travelled across Australia to bring home a newly purchased aircraft. But the journey ended in tragedy when their kit-built plane crashed shortly after takeoff in New South Wales.

A trip that began with a shared passion for aviation has ended in heartbreak after two men died when a small aircraft crashed near Scone in New South Wales.

Western Australian pilot Revel Downing, 58, and his 63-year-old friend lost their lives on Friday, October 16, when the two-seater plane came down in a paddock near Scone Aerodrome in the Upper Hunter region.

The pair were believed to have travelled from Western Australia to purchase the aircraft and were making their first flight home when the devastating incident occurred.

Emergency services were called to Bunnan Road at approximately 1:55 p.m. local time. Paramedics arrived to find both men inside the wreckage, but neither could be saved.

For their families and friends, the loss has been devastating. What should have been the beginning of a journey home became a tragedy that has left loved ones waiting for answers.

A dream journey that never reached its destination

Downing was an aviation enthusiast from Western Australia who shared his passion for flying and aircraft.

Reports indicate that the men had travelled across the country to buy a recently purchased Aeropup, a two-seat, kit-built aircraft reportedly sold for around A$38,000.

The aircraft, nicknamed “Snoopy,” was built in 2012 and designed for recreational aviation.

For two men with an interest in flying, bringing the plane back to Western Australia was meant to be a significant journey. Instead, the aircraft crashed only a short time after departing from the Scone area.

The circumstances have made the tragedy particularly difficult for those who knew the men: they had set out on a trip connected to something they loved, but never made it home.

What happened after takeoff?

Flight-tracking information reported by Australian media indicated that the aircraft climbed to approximately 145 metres before losing speed and altitude.

The plane then crashed in a paddock roughly 460 metres from the runway, according to reports.

However, those details do not establish what caused the aircraft to come down. Investigators have been examining the circumstances surrounding the flight, and it would be premature to attribute the crash to pilot error, a mechanical problem or weather conditions.

New South Wales Police established a crime scene and began inquiries into the incident. A report is to be prepared for the coroner.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was notified but said it would not investigate because the aircraft was operating within the recreational aviation system.

A community left grieving

News of the two deaths has shocked the local community and those connected to recreational aviation in Western Australia.

Upper Hunter Mayor Pat Ryan expressed sadness over the incident and acknowledged the impact on the families and emergency responders who attended the scene.

For those mourning the men, the immediate focus is on remembering their lives rather than drawing conclusions about the final moments of the flight.

The investigation may establish more about the sequence of events, but for now, many questions remain unanswered.

Waiting for answers

Fatal aviation incidents can involve many possible factors, and the precise cause of this crash has not been officially established.

Authorities are continuing their inquiries, while a coroner’s report is expected to document the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Behind the investigation are two families facing an unimaginable loss — and two men whose shared interest in flying became part of a journey that ended far too soon.

They travelled across Australia to bring home an aircraft. They never made it back.

As their loved ones grieve, the hope is that the remaining questions surrounding the crash will eventually be answered.