Three people have died when a light aircraft crashed and exploded in front of horrified onlookers at Shellharbour.
The single-engine plane came down shortly after taking off from Shellharbour Airport, which was hosting an open day with the local aviation museum.
The privately-owned aircraft was not connected to the event, according to organisers.
Footage screened on the Nine Network shows the blackened wreckage sitting close to the end of the airport’s main runway, which appears to have suffered surface charring.
Police said all three occupants of the aircraft perished in the crash, which occurred at approximately 10am Saturday.
Shellharbour Airport is located at the intersection of the Princes and Illawarra Highways, 20km south of Wollongong. It operates daily services to Melbourne and Brisbane, and is home to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.
Skydiving and helicopter businesses also have bases at Shellharbour, including the Toll Group Ambulance Service.
Emergency services remain at the crash site.
Australian Transport and Safety Board (ATSB) investigators are also on scene.
Image: Courtesy of 9News
