Young pilot killed in plane crash identified
The young pilot who lost his life in a tragic light plane crash in South Australia’s far north has been identified as 22-year-old Adam Snell.
Mr Snell’s plane crashed into a paddock near Mulgathing, about 260km southwest of Coober Pedy and 800km northwest of Adelaide, about 9.30am on Thursday.
He was the sole occupant of the Cessna 172 and he died in the crash.
Major Crash Investigators and Forensic Crime Scene officers attended the scene, along with officers from Far North Local Service Area, the police said in a statement on Thursday evening.
“The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be investigating the incident,” the police said.
“Safework SA has been notified of the death and police will be preparing a report for the Coroner.”
The Mulgathing station, operated by Jumbuck Pastoral, is in the Glendambo and Cooper Pedy region and is about 120km west of the Stuart Highway.
A Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft flew to the scene of the crash.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Snell had been working for Jumbuck Pastoral since December 2023.
“I have a genuine passion for the industry and seek to challenge myself through chasing new opportunities,” his profile states.
He graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Aviation degree.
It was the first light plane crash to hit South Australia on Thursday.
Hours later, a plane crashed while attempting to land at Evelyn Downs, north of Coober Pedy, about 2pm on Thursday.
The solo 42-year-old male pilot, from Arcoona, was flown more than 1000km southeast to Adelaide to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
