The wreckage of the light plane that crashed into the ocean, killing its pilot, has been salvaged off Sydney's coast.
A spokesman for NSW Police told AAP that the wreckage of the two-seater ultralight plane was on its way to Bankstown Airport, where it would be investigated by the authorities.
He said the salvage operation, which started at about 7am (AEST) on Saturday was completed sometime by 11am.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The plane crashed into the the sea off Curl Curl beach shortly after sending out a mayday alert about 10.15am on Friday.
It disappeared off the radar shortly afterwards.
The passenger, a 32-year-old man, managed to swim the surface and was helped ashore.
But the pilot Gary Malane, a 60-year-old man from Bonnet Bay in southern Sydney, was killed in the crash.
His body was later retrieved from the wreckage by divers.
Surfers, lifesavers, police and shocked locals took to the water to also drag the surviving passenger to shore.
"We did everything within our powers," said Chief Inspector Colin Green, who was one of the first on the scene.
Two local surf lifesavers also tried reach the pilot, while other members of the public assisted the passenger on the shore, he
said.
Superintendent Doreen Cruickshank said the plane appeared to get into difficulty as it was flying north across the beach.
A spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said the Recreational Aviation Australia would be carrying out the
investigation into the crash because the aircraft was registered as recreational.
