The charity caught up in this week's fatal plane crash at Mt Gambier has broken its silence, paying tribute to its volunteer pilot and the mother and daughter who lost their lives.
Angel Flight says 78-year-old Grant Gilbert was a well-respected businessman and pilot and would be sadly missed.
"There are no words which can adequately express the sense of loss which has been felt and that depth of feeling has been communicated to the charity by people right across the state," chief executive Marjorie Pagani said in a statement on Friday.
Ms Pagani said tributes to Mr Gilbert had been received from other pilots, his friends and the many people he had "selflessly" assisted.
"The same level of warmth and support has also been received for the passengers, who were much-loved members of their community.
"The staff and the board of Angel Flight are deeply saddened at such a tragic loss."
As well as Mr Gilbert, Wednesday's crash claimed the lives of Mt Gambier locals Tracy Redding, 43, and her daughter Emily, 16, when his single-engined plane came down shortly after take-off.
The Mt Barker businessman was operating an Angel Flight, taking Emily to Adelaide for medical treatment.
The plane came down in a paddock not far from the Mt Gambier airport with the front end extensively damaged.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is continuing to investigate the crash but a spokeswoman said the bureau would not comment on a possible cause with a preliminary report to be released within 30 days.
She said inquiries would include the prevailing weather conditions, with fog reported in the area, the pilot's experience, the wreckage, examining any data and speaking with any witnesses.
Investigators will also contact Angel Flight to check on training and accreditation issues.
There were unsourced media reports on Friday that Mr Gilbert was not licensed to fly in fog.
The crash is the second such incident in South Australia in the past two months after three people died in May when their Cessna Conquest, operated by charter company Rossair, crashed near Renmark.
