Qantas pilot sent family final text message before intentionally crashing plane into ocean

A Qantas pilot who disappeared after hiring a light plane is believed to have crashed intentionally, plunging the aircraft into a death-spiral in deep waters off Byron Bay on Monday.

Paul Whyte made a call to his daughters before he boarded the plane and sent his family a final text message before he vanished The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

Mr Whyte had reportedly been struggling with the break-up of his marriage.

The Daily Mail reports Qantas had cleared Mr Whyte to fly just a month before his death.

Qantas chief pilot Captain Richard Tobiano said Mr Whyte was a first officer on international flights with the airline.

“It is with great sadness that I confirm that an off-duty Qantas pilot was flying a light aircraft which went missing off the northern coast of New South Wales on Monday evening,' Captain Tobiano said.

“As you can imagine this is a very upsetting time for his family, friends and colleagues, and we're providing them with as much support as we can. I ask you to respect their privacy at this time.”

Mr Whyte hired a Cessna 172 from a company in Lismore at 4:20pm on Monday afternoon before disappearing six nautical miles off the coast of Byron Bay.

Only half an hour after leaving Lismore, all contact to the plane had been lost.

When the pilot failed to return, a police search was launched.

Authorities have classed Mr Whyte’s disappearance as “not suspicious”.

Richmond Local Area Command chief inspector Cameron Lindsay said finding the wreckage would take some time.

“What we’ve been told by experts is the plane was travelling at a very high speed when it impacted the water,” he told The Gold Coast Bulletin.

“It’s in a very deep part of the ocean there and is beyond the capabilities of the police divers, so now we have to look at the use of submersible vehicles.”

If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978

News break – March 24