{"id":466221,"date":"2026-02-08T10:12:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T10:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/466221\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T10:12:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T10:12:13","slug":"sa-plane-crash-young-pilot-lucas-di-biase-was-not-meant-to-be-on-the-flight-grieving-family-reveal-in-heartbreaking-tribute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/466221\/","title":{"rendered":"SA plane crash: Young pilot Lucas Di Biase was \u2018not meant to be on the flight,\u2019 grieving family reveal in heartbreaking tribute"},"content":{"rendered":"

Passionate young pilot Lucas Di Biase has been identified as the third person killed in a horror plane crash<\/a> in SA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old Pasadena man was aboard a light plane that spun out of control and nosedived into the waters off Goolwa South, on the state\u2019s south coast, about 4.30pm on Friday.<\/p>\n

Shocked witnesses felt hopeless as local surf lifesavers quickly battled charging waves to reach the downed plane in hope of finding survivors.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

But all three people onboard the Cessna were found dead.<\/p>\n

Lucas had been flying with two trainee pilots, Morphett Vale man Leo Howard, 53, and 18-year-old Tristan Scheffers.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucas was not meant to be on the flight on Friday but never hesitated to jump in the back seat of another flight as he\u2019s done many times before,\u201d Lucas\u2019 mother Koula said in a family statement on behalf of herself, Lucas\u2019 father Louis, and sister Isabella.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn unimaginable tragedy to [lose] such an accomplished young man with the world at his feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LucasLucas Di Biase, 20, has been remembered as a \u2018funny, smart and fearless\u2019 man after he was killed in a light plane crash on Friday. Credit: Supplied\"Lucas\u2019Lucas\u2019 family \u2014 Isabella, Louis and Koula \u2014 said in a family statement that they are unsure how to carry on without him. Credit: Supplied<\/p>\n

The family revealed that Lucas had wanted to become a pilot since he was a toddler.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo our beautiful boy Lucas there are no words,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are so devastated and can\u2019t believe you\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll you ever wanted to do since you were a toddler was to become a pilot.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were so passionate about flying. You worked so hard, graduated at the top of your class, was mentoring student pilots and booked to fly to Darwin on Monday to follow your dreams.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were funny, smart, fearless and loved by everyone who met you including everyone in the aviation community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know how we are supposed to carry on without you. We\u2019ll miss your daily calls, your conversations, your laughter and the joy you brought to us. We\u2019ll try to stay strong for your sister.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love you so much. Forever in our hearts. Forever 20. Fly high our beautiful boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crash remains under investigation. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is set to interview witnesses, examine the wreckage and analyse flight track data as well as aircraft and maintenance records.<\/p>\n

A report will be prepared for the coroner.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Instructor and trainee pilot among three killed in plane crash<\/p>\n

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