“THEY WERE JUST MINUTES INTO THEIR JOURNEY” — REVEL DOWNING, 58, AND HIS CLOSE FRIEND DIE IN DEVASTATING PLANE CRASH

Two experienced aviation enthusiasts travelled across Australia to bring home a newly purchased aircraft. But their exciting journey ended in tragedy just moments after takeoff, leaving families and fellow pilots heartbroken.

A trip that should have marked the beginning of a new adventure has ended in unimaginable loss after Western Australian pilot Revel Downing, 58, and his 63-year-old friend, William Simons, died in a light aircraft crash near Scone, in New South Wales.

The two men were travelling home after purchasing a two-seat Aeropup aircraft when it crashed into a paddock shortly after taking off from Scone Memorial Airport on Friday afternoon, October 16, 2026.

Emergency services were called to Bunnan Road at approximately 1:55 p.m. Both men were found in the cockpit with fatal injuries.

For their families, friends and fellow aviation enthusiasts, the news marked a devastating end to a journey built around their shared passion for flying.

A journey across Australia

Downing and Simons were understood to be experienced recreational pilots with connections to Western Australia’s aircraft-building community.

Reports indicate that the pair had travelled from Western Australia to collect the recently purchased aircraft and fly it home together.

The Aeropup was a kit-built, Australian-designed aircraft manufactured in 2012. It had reportedly been sold for approximately A$38,000.

What should have been an exciting first flight in their new aircraft became a tragedy that has deeply affected the people who knew them.

What happened moments after takeoff?

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

The plane came down in a paddock approximately 460 metres from the runway.

Although some reports have raised the possibility that the aircraft entered a spin, investigators have not confirmed the precise sequence of events.

NSW Police Inspector Todd Hobson said authorities were considering several possible explanations, including weather conditions, pilot error and mechanical problems.

At this stage, no cause has been established.

 Investigators seek answers

Police established a crime scene and began examining the circumstances surrounding the crash. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Recreational Aviation Australia and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau were notified. The ATSB confirmed that the aircraft was operating under Australia’s recreational aviation system and would not be investigated by the bureau.

The evidence gathered by authorities will be important in determining what happened during the aircraft’s final moments.

A heartbreaking loss for the aviation community

Downing and Simons shared a love of flying that brought them together on what was meant to be a memorable journey home.

Their deaths have prompted an outpouring of condolences from community representatives and fellow aviation enthusiasts.

For those closest to them, the loss is about much more than a plane crash. It is the loss of two friends, two family members and two people whose lives were connected by a passion they loved.

Their journey ended far too soon, leaving their loved ones to face the difficult days ahead.

They set out together to bring an aircraft home. Instead, their families are now left mourning two lives lost in a tragedy whose cause remains unknown.

May Revel Downing and William Simons rest in peace.