An investigation by NSW police and aviation officials is underway into a double-fatal plane crash on the state’s north coast, the second deadly aviation incident in less than a week.

A microlight plane pilot and his passenger died after their aircraft was seen plummeting into the ocean about two kilometres off the coast near Nambucca Heads at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the efforts of police surf lifesavers and Marine Rescue NSW, the pilot, 67, and passenger, 69, died on impact.

Police say the crash happened just thirty minutes after the plane took off from a private airstrip at Coffs Harbour, with multiple witnesses calling triple-0, according to NSW Police Inspector Stuart Campbell.

“About 4pm, emergency services responded to the coast line just south of Nambucca Heads after witness reports of a plane crashing into the ocean,” Chief Insp Campbell said.

”A search was co-ordinated with local police resources as well as surf rescue, and water police from Coffs Harbour. That search located wreckage of a light aircraft unfortunately in that wreckage were the bodies of two deceased persons.”

The pilot’s body was retrieved on Saturday, while his passenger’s body was recovered on Sunday during efforts by investigators off Scotts Head Beach to retrieve the wrecked aircraft from the water.

An aircraft wing on the sand and another in the waves were spotted near the crash scene on Sunday, as officers inspected the area on land, via jetski and on-board a patrol boat.

The double fatality follows a similar crash on December 30 where local real estate agent Jim Auld, 67, died and his son Robert, 32, critically injured when their light plane crashed soon after take off at Yamba. Mr Auld was a highly respected real estate agent in Coffs Harbour and experienced at flying his own light plane.

Both accidents are now being investigated and reports will be prepared for the coroner.

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