Tony Scopelliti, 72, named as second victim of light plane crash at Jacobs Well

A grandfather who was killed alongside his close friend in a fiery light plane crash on the northern Gold Coast has been remembered as a dedicated and cherished person.

Tony Scopelliti, 72, was the passenger inside a Van’s RV-8A light plane when it crashed into Heck Field at Jacobs Well on Tuesday morning.

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, skidding into bushland before sparking a large grass fire.

He was alongside his close friend and pilot Greg Ackman, who was also killed in the crash.

In a statement, Mr Scopelliti’s family said the well-respected pilot had been flying both commercial and private aeroplanes for 40 years.

“He was involved in the aviation community of Richmond (NSW), as well as historic motor clubs, and a scripture teacher for the children of Richmond,” they said.

“He was a devoted husband to his wife, father of six kids, wonderful nonno to two grandkids. And much loved among his friends and peers.”

Mr Scopelliti was born in Italy and migrated to Australia when he was six.

Speaking to 9News, his family remembered Mr Scopelliti as a generous person who always helped others.

“Every person he knew will feel his loss deeply”, they said

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) chief commissioner Angus Michael said the aircraft was an experimental class, was about 20 years old and had previously been in a “pretty serious accident” in 2010 due to engine failure.

The ATSB is investigating the cause of the crash.

‘Close call’: Haunting account resurfaces

A chilling recount of a “close call” Mr Ackman had while flying in 2018 has resurfaced in the wake of the fatal crash.

Seven years ago, Mr Ackman warned fellow pilots not to be complacent, recounting a time that “almost spelt the end of (his) flying career”.

Fellow pilots said Mr Ackman was an advocate for all things aviation, including safety.

In 2018, he wrote an article titled “Complacency – The sleeping dragon” for the Flight Safety website.

“After 40 years and almost 5000 hours of general aviation flying I thought I had it down pat,” he wrote.

“But one Saturday recently I had a rude awakening that almost spelt the end of my flying career.”

Mr Ackman recounts a time he took an aspiring young pilot for his second flight.

He said he made five separate mistakes that could have been fatal, clearing a mass of trees by just 6m.

“I realised that I had come within a hair whisker of pranging the aircraft and killing my innocent passengers,” Mr Ackman said.

“Complacency allowed me to miss all the cues and warnings that were plainly there to see, but I had not been astute enough to add it all up as I should have done.

“Flying is a serious business and if you take a lazy attitude with it, then you will eventually get bitten on the bum.

“I lived only because I didn’t panic and worked through the problem.

“The lesson is don’t be complacent, be diligent and treat every flight as another lesson in risk management.”