Qantas pilot believed to have deliberately crashed plane into sea off Byron Bay

THE pilot who is believed to have deliberately crashed his light aircraft into the ocean was a first officer flying internationally for Qantas.

Struggling with a broken marriage, Paul Whyte rented a light aircraft from a flying club in Lismore, made one final phone call to his daughters and disappeared into the ocean six nautical miles offshore from Byron Bay late on Monday afternoon.

Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Richard Tobiano today told the Gold Coast Bulletin the tragedy was “very upsetting” for Mr Whyte’s “family, friends and colleagues”.

It is with great sadness that I confirm that an off-duty Qantas pilot was flying a light aircraft which went missing off the northern coast of New South Wales on Monday evening,” he said. As you can imagine this is a very upsetting time for his family, friends and colleagues, and we’re providing them with as much support as we can. I ask you to respect their privacy at this time.”

Authorities refused to provide any details of the tragedy, a move which has infuriated Northern Rivers Aero Club president Bill Kiernan, the man who leased the aircraft to Mr Whyte.

Mr Kiernan told The Gold Coast Bulletin authorities had tried to silence him, warning him not to tell anyone Mr Whyte was a Qantas pilot.

Source: Gold coast bulletin