Silence about survivor upsets dead pilot's family

The investigation into the crash could take six months. Photo / Kevin Bills

The family of a flying instructor killed in a midair collision are frustrated by the lack of information about the surviving trainee pilot of the second aircraft.

Jessica Neeson, 27, and her student Patricia Smallman, 64, did not survive the crash into a paddock near Feilding after they collided with another Cessna 152 in the uncontrolled airspace above Manawatu about 3.30pm on Monday.

The Herald can reveal the as-yet-unnamed pilot as 21-year-old Indian student Manoj Kadam.

Mr Kadam, who is weeks away from sitting his commercial licence, has been praised for his skill in landing his plane with a dead engine and missing a wheel. He was unhurt.

Flight Training Manawatu owner Michael Bryant refused to comment while the crash investigation was in progress, and was disappointed that the student's identity had been revealed.

But Ms Neeson's grieving relatives have been anxious for answers as they prepare for her funeral in Palmerston North on Tuesday.

Her uncle Richard Neeson said it was hard not even knowing the pilot's name.

"He just landed and said nothing," he told the Herald. "From my end of things it's this blank person out there who could just disappear."

Mr Neeson said that while nothing would bring his niece back, it would be nice to put a face to the other pilot "instead of Mr Nobody".

Initial reports that he was one of Ms Neeson's flying students were wrong, he said. The family knew only that he was from India.

Mr Neeson said family were told the crash investigation could take up to six months.

Ms Neeson will be farewelled at a funeral service at Palmerston North's All Saints' Cathedral, with the wake at Flight Training Manawatu afterwards.

Mr Neeson did not know if any sort of air display would take place, saying the sound of plane engines made him edgy now.