A photo of a father and son who were tragically killed in a freak plane crash has emerged showing the pair beaming from the cockpit.
Lane Kokshoorn, an experienced pilot aged in his 30s, and his 10-year-old son were in a recreational kit plane when it clipped a set of powerlines and crashed on impact at a Lilydale property near Grafton in northern NSW last week.
The Highlander Rotax 914UL burst into flames, with Mr Kokshoorn and his son pronounced dead at the scene.
Mourning family members have since taken to social media to express their heartache and have shared a sweet photo of the two posing from the cockpit of the small plane.
Mr Kokshoorn is seen wearing red sunglasses and a black cap sporting a big grin while his son also gives a big smile from the passenger seat.
The touching photo has sparked an outpouring of love and support for the family as they prepare to hold a funeral for the pair on December 22.
“A celebration of their lives,” the online invite reads. “Two beautiful souls shall soar the sky’s (sic) forever.”
“I have no words, so-so sorry to the entire Kokshorns clan. Much love at this tragic time,” one friend wrote on Facebook.
“Sending all of our love at this incredibly difficult time. Holding you in my thoughts – I’m so sorry,” said another, while a third added: “My heart breaks for you all, I’m so very sorry for the loss of Lane and his baby boy. Much love to you and your family xx.”
The pair were flying through Lilydale and Grafton in northern NSW in the Highlander Rotax 914UL plane on Monday morning before tragedy struck the following day.
The duo had left the Southport Flying Club at about 9am and are believed to have stopped to rest overnight before continuing on their journey on Tuesday morning.
Police believe the plane was headed in a westerly direction before the fatal crash.
Several emergency response agencies attended the scene, including paramedics, police and the State Emergency Service, but the pair were sadly declared dead at the scene.
According to Mr Kokshoorn’s LinkedIn, he was previously a captain for BHMM aviation on the Gold Coast and a pilot for Cobham Aviation in Perth. He also worked for private airline charters in Brisbane.
“A recreational aircraft clipped a powerline, as a consequence of that then crashed onto the banks of the Clarence River,” Acting Inspector Aaron van Schaik said.
“Unfortunately, the plane caught fire after the impact.”
Steve Rance, aerodrome manager at the Southport Flying Club, paid respects to the “devoted” father, who would come to visit the club “four-to-five times a week”.
He added Lane and his son were “happy as anything” before departing their fateful trip.
“We are just devastated by the whole situation,” he said, according to The Daily Telegraph. “He was a devoted family man who loved his son very much.”
He explained Lane’s son “goes flying with his dad a lot”, and were both “avid aviators.”
“I feel heartbroken for his partner. It’s something she will never get over,” Mr Rance said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is not investigating the crash.
However, NSW Police are continuing investigations with assistance from Recreational Aviation Australia.