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Date:
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time:
14:55 Local Time (approx.)
Type of Aircraft:
Cirrus SR20
Owner/Operator:
Bankstown Flying School
Registration:
VH-TEL
MSN:
2262
Year of Manufacture:
2014
Engine Model:
Teledyne-Continental IO-360-ES26B
Fatalities:
1 / Occupants: 1
Other Fatalities:
0
Aircraft Damage:
Destroyed
Category:
Accident
Location:
Budawang National Park, NSW – Australia
Phase:
En route
Nature:
Private
Departure Airport:
Bankstown Airport, NSW (BWU/YSBK)
Destination Airport:
Bankstown Airport, NSW (BWU/YSBK)
Investigating Agency:
ATSB (preliminary notifications via NSW Police)
Confidence Rating:
Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Circumstances:
On September 18, 2025, Cirrus SR20 light aircraft registered VH-TEL departed Bankstown Airport, Sydney, at around 11:00 local time for a private flight. The aircraft was owned and operated by Bankstown Flying School.
Radar data showed that the flight tracked southbound, reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet before entering a steady descent. At approximately 14:55 local time, the aircraft dropped below 2,000 feet near Budawang National Park, where it disappeared from radar coverage.
Emergency services were alerted when the aircraft failed to return as scheduled. Later that day, the wreckage was located in rugged bushland within the Budawang National Park, NSW. The sole pilot, a man in his 60s, was confirmed deceased at the scene.
Media imagery confirmed the aircraft was destroyed in the impact. No distress call has been reported, and the cause of the crash remains unknown. NSW Police established the site as a crime scene pending coroner’s reporting. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been notified and will determine the scope of investigation.
Sources:
NSW Police Media Release
7NEWS – Grave fears for missing light plane
9NEWS – Search to resume for missing pilot
Flightradar24 – VH-TEL
Carter Capner Law monitors accidents involving light aircraft, helicopters, charter flights, balloons, commuter aircraft and airlines throughout Australia and overseas to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for pilots, passengers, operators, aircraft owners and aviation employees worldwide. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law. Click on Client Showcase to view our history of aircraft accident compensation claims.