Third victim identified after two light aircraft collided over Sydney. A wife pays tribute to her “extraordinary” husband

The family of one of three men who died when a light plane crashed in Sydney’s southwest has described him as the person who “brightened everything up”.

Jake Anastas (29) was piloting one of two light aircraft that collided in mid-air at Belimbla Park on Saturday.

When the crash occurred, Anastas was completing training for his commercial pilot license and was being instructed by off-duty Qantas captain Gary Criddle, 72.

A woman and a man smile for a selfie in a helicopter. They both wear headphones, the man is the pilot. — Jake Anastas’ relatives say that he spent almost half of his life in the air and fell in love with flying when he was young. (ABC News: Delivered)

In a statement to ABC News, his wife Tori Anastas paid tribute to her partner.

She described him as a “loving, caring and extraordinary husband who had a tremendous impact on everyone in his life.”

“Jake has spent almost half his life in the skies, falling in love with flying in his youth. He loved to fly and made everything brighter. He always made me feel like I could soar with him,” she said.

“He was my best friend and my whole world.”

One of the planes was flying from Cessnock to Wollongong and the other from The Oaks Airport.

The pilot of the second plane was 60-year-old Khadervali Gagguturu.

Khadervali Gagguturu in sunglasses in a selfie with an airplane — Gagguturu’s son said he “helped everyone.” (Delivered)

Gagguturu’s son Saleem said those who knew him were “devastated” by his death.

“He did everything he could to help anyone and everyone,” he told ABC News.

“My mother, brother and I love him very much and his loss has left us, all our family and friends, devastated and heartbroken.”

Saleem said his father was a mechanic, programmer and pilot, and his lifelong passion was flying.

“He died doing what he loved. We will miss him forever.”

The family of Qantas pilot Gary Criddle also reflected on their loss.

The family remembered him as a “very loved husband, father, grandfather and aviator.”

“We are completely devastated and completely shocked by this tragic loss,” they said in a statement over the weekend.

Gary Criddle and a smiling woman in a light plane wearing aviation headphones. — Gary Criddle’s family have described his loss as “immeasurable”. (Delivered)

“Gary was an extremely experienced pilot with 36 years with Qantas and 20 years in the Navy and Air Force.

“He was a mentor to many aspiring pilots and an avid adventurer with plans to circumnavigate the world.

“The show was full of fun, laughter and generosity. His loss is immeasurable and he will be greatly missed.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said its investigation into the crash was continuing.