Two young brothers and their cousin who died in a horrific light plane crash on Saturday were on their way to participate in a family Christmas tradition.

Luke and Benny Smith, aged 20 and 16, and their cousin Dusty Daly, 15, were flying over Tinamba West in Victoria’s Gippsland region when their plane crashed into a paddock in the afternoon.

Experienced pilot Luke He flies his brother and cousin to Maffra to help put up Christmas lights for their grandmother.

The Smith and Daly families reportedly gathered in town to set up decorations and organize Christmas holiday plans.

In a statement to messenger of the sunThe Smith and Daly families said they are grateful for all the support they have received.

Tongala family members Alistair said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that Luke Smith (20), Tongala, his brother Benny Smith (16), Tongala and their cousin Dusty Daly (15), Tinamba West passed away on Saturday 16 November.” Smith, Leonie Smith and Tinamba West family members Amy Daly and Mathew Daly said.

‘This is an incredibly difficult time for our family and we request privacy as we deal with our grief.

‘Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this loss and we ask for your understanding as we focus on supporting each other through this difficult time.

Luke (pictured) and Benny Smith, aged 20 and 16, and their cousin Dusty Daly, 15, were flying over Tinamba West on Saturday when their plane crashed into a paddock.

‘We are grateful for the love and support from our friends, family and the community at large. Thank you for your respect and compassion.’

The Smiths are a well-known family living in Tongala in the state’s Goulburn Valley, 222 km north of Melbourne, and are associated with local sports clubs.

Counseling services were offered to grieving friends at the town’s football club on Sunday, with the help of a psychologist from Headspace.

Tongala Football/Netball Club and Tongala Cricket Club issued a statement regarding Luke and Benny, offering their condolences to the Smith and Daly families.

Relevant club presidents Daniel Cox and Travis Johnstone said the clubs were shocked by the loss of the three children.

“We offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Alistair (AJ) and Leonie, Ryan and Olivia, Amy and Mathew Daly and their families,” the joint statement said. The statement was included.

‘We also offer our commitment to supporting them all as a family in the unimaginable days ahead.

‘The lives of three beautiful, happy, vibrant, talented and loved children were cut tragically short.’

As well as playing football and cricket, Luke and Benny also volunteered in the canteen.

Luke, Benny and their brother Ryan played together in a football match just three months ago.

In the statement made by the sports clubs, it was said: “During the 2024 season, Luke played on the reserve side together with his brother Ryan.”

‘In August this year, when we were short in numbers, Benny filled in so the three boys had the opportunity to play together for the first and now tragically last time.

‘A moment his parents and the club will cherish forever.’

Dusty Daly (pictured) was one of three family members killed in light plane crash

Adventure Flight Training at Moama Airport praised Luke’s piloting skills last June.

‘Congratulations to trainer Luke Smith for braverying Pitts and Acro’s endorsements! “Very impressive, man,” said a Facebook post accompanying a photo of Luke in a small red plane.

Flight Envelope and Edge Aviation consultant Lorraine MacGillivray told reporters the bereaved families were ‘broken’ and ‘in great pain’.

‘These families’ lives have been changed forever,’ he said.

Ms MacGillivray said Luke, who she advised just two days before the fatal crash, was an experienced pilot.

He said he was ‘zealous’, ‘determined’ and ‘passionate’ about flying.

‘He was also a flight instructor – they (the three victims) were all absolutely wonderful people – so this is a terrible loss,’ he said.

Ms MacGillivray added that she wanted to ‘find out why these accidents occur and try to prevent them from occurring in the future’.

‘This has to stop, and just as we can’t prevent every car accident, we can’t prevent every accident anymore, but we have to try very hard.’

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the bureau had launched an investigation into the accident.

The ATSB said: ‘It has launched a transport safety investigation into a crash involving an amateur-built light aircraft at Tinamba West, Victoria, on Saturday.’

As reported to the ATSB, the aircraft crashed into land in the paddock and was destroyed by post-impact fire.

Benny Smith (pictured) died along with his older brother and cousins ​​in plane crash

‘The ATSB is sending a team of transport safety inspectors from its Canberra office who specialize in aircraft operations and maintenance to the crash scene.

‘Investigators will carry out a range of evidence gathering activities at the site, including examining the wreckage and recovering relevant aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.’

Investigators also hope to interview witnesses and collect flight tracking data as well as recorded information such as pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.

The ATSB expects to publish a preliminary report detailing information gathered during the early evidence-gathering phase of the investigation in approximately six to eight weeks.

Locals recalled seeing the plane just before it crashed into the field and hearing eerie sounds from the sky.

“I heard it circling over my house and it sounded weird,” one woman wrote on Facebook.

Another added: ‘I heard it from a distance, it didn’t sound right.’

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.