Young driver Joshua Christensen "made all the right calls" before the fatal Masterton air disaster

One of the two pilots killed when two planes crashed into the air on Sunday was christened Joshua Christensen.

Craig McBride, 20, was killed when their planes collided in the sky south of Hood Airfield, south of Masterton, around 11:15 am Sunday.

Christensen was a licensed pilot who had been flying jump planes for the Wellington Skydive for about two months.

Prior to Sunday 's accident, he dropped three parachutists – two of whom were on a tandem jump – over the drop zone before returning to the airport. It is understood that the accident occurred when the paratroopers landed.

READ MORE:
* Well known flight pilot in the Masterton community
* Masterton light aircraft pilots were probably trying to land: aviation expert
* The body of the second pilot was found in the wreckage of a plane crash in flight

Christensen had been flying with Skydive Wellington for about two months.

He had just finished his studies at the New Zealand International Aviation Academy – in Christchurch – where he had obtained a commercial pilot license before settling in Masterton. Christensen had been duly controlled and passed by flight instructors to transport paratroopers and was "very kind to the plane".

"We knew Josh was on the button and was making all the good radio calls," said the man on the scene.

The fatal flight was Christensen's second flight that day, having taken another group of paratroopers about an hour and a half earlier.

It is understood that Christensen's previous landing was filmed and that he was "perfect".

It is understood that during the fatal flight, Christensen climbed to approximately 12,500 feet, at which point the paratroopers jumped from the plane.

It is understood that Christensen broadcast on an open radio frequency intended for other aircraft in the area – and all those who listened to it – that the riders had "left" and informed them of the number of parachutes in the area. ;air.

The man at the scene stated that there was "no conflict between the jumping plane and the awnings", and that Christensen was still behind the paratroopers when he was out. they went down.

"They do it all the time because a free fall from 5000 feet is a lot faster than a plane can fall, and it's still outside the circuit when the canopies are in the circuit or on the plane." Aerodrome, "he said.

About five minutes before each jump, a large target is removed, which indicates all air traffic in the area that a parachute would be underway.

"This descent could take up to five minutes.They know how to stay away from the circuit," said the man.

"The jumping pilot, when he says" jump away, "says the number of canopies in the air, so that other airlines know how much to count and that they must be kept in sight .

"All of this is closely monitored on the local radio frequency used by all air traffic, and then Josh came in and gave his descent – east of the airfield – so that everyone would know that He was coming from that side. "

It is understood that McBride – who was in the other light aircraft – was flying solo using a plane from the Wairarapa Aero Club. It is understood that the aircraft was a ULM.

It is understood that the aircraft caught fire at the moment of impact and that McBride's body was ejected from the ULM. Christensen was caught in hell and his body remained in the wreckage until rescuers could reach him on Monday.

A family member confirmed that at the time of the accident, McBride's wife was traveling abroad and had landed in Dubai when she was informed of her death. .

It is understood that both of McBride's daughters – based in the United Kingdom and Australia – have returned to New Zealand.

The family member said that he was "absolutely crushed" by the death. He added that he thought McBride, who was about 60, had learned to fly.

"Craig was probably part of his solo practice," he said.

An experienced coach said McBride was a "meticulous" pilot.

McBride was well known in the community and was a past president of the Wairarapa Cricket Association.

The civil aviation authorities, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) and the police opened an investigation into the accident.

TAIC spokesman Simon Pleasants said the investigators were gathering evidence and questioning witnesses. The survey can last from 12 months to four years.