The heartbroken loved ones of a young pilot have revealed the tragic decision he made shortly before he and two others died in a light plane crash.

The third man killed in a horror light plane crash off the coast of Adelaide has been identified as young pilot Lucas Di Biase, with his family revealing a tragic detail about his death.

Mr Di Biase died alongside Morphett Vale man Leo Howard, 53, and Tristan Scheffers, 18, when the aircraft plunged into the ocean at Long Bay, near Goolwa South, at about 4.20pm on Friday in front of multiple people.

His family told 7News Mr Di Biase was not meant to be on the plane, “but never hesitated to jump in the back seat of another flight as he’s done many times before”.

In a heartbreaking statement, his mother Koula, speaking on behalf of herself, his father Louis and sister Isabella said the family were facing an “unimaginable tragedy”.

Lucas Di Biase died in a plane crash near Goolwa on Friday 6th Feb 2026. Picture: Supplied

His mother revealed he was not meant to be on the flight. Picture: Supplied
“All you ever wanted to do since you were a toddler was to become a pilot,” the statement said.

“You 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.

“You were funny, smart, fearless and loved by everyone who met you including everyone in the aviation community.

The pilot and his two teenage passengers have been identified. Picture 7NEWS

ATSB investigators are probing the cause of the crash. Picture 7NEWS
“We don’t know how we are supposed to carry on without you. We’ll miss your daily calls, your conversations, your laughter and the joy you brought to us. We’ll try to stay strong for your sister.

“We love you so much. Forever in our hearts. Forever 20. Fly high our beautiful boy.”

Three men died in the crash. Picture: 9News,
Mr Howard’s family remembered him as a highly respected instructor and a beloved family man.

“Leo was a highly respected and experienced pilot. He was a loved family man, son, father, and brother,” his sister, Mercedes Howard, told The Advertiser.

“We are devastated at this time and send our condolences to the other families involved.”

Meanwhile, Mr Howard’s friend Ben Clarke posted a tribute online to his former instructor.

“Rest in peace, my friend. Thank you for showing me a world I had always dreamt of,” he said.

Ben Clarke (left) paid tribute to pilot Leo Howard (right) who tragically died in a crash near Goolwa on February 7. Picture: Instagram/bingeclarke
The wreckage of the plane has been brought into shore.

On Saturday, ATSB acting Chief Commissioner Colin McNamara described the incident as a tragedy.

“This was a tragic day for three families, and the wider aviation community, and on behalf of the ATSB I express our deepest condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones,” Mr McNamara said in a statement.

He confirmed four ATSB investigators had been deployed to investigate the aircraft wreckage.

The aircraft plunged into Long Bay, off Goolwa South. Picture: 9News
Mr McNamara urged bystanders with any footage of the incident to come forward, after harrowing footage of the crash emerged overnight on Friday, showing the light plane plunging towards the ocean.

“Crucially, we are aware there are a number of video recordings of the accident sequence, some of which have been shown in media,” he said.

“That footage captured the aircraft rolling to the left in a very steep nose down trajectory a couple of hundred metres offshore.

“Analysis of those video recordings will be instrumental to the investigation, and we do ask that anyone with video footage of the aircraft at any stage of its flight, and of the accident sequence, to make contact with the ATSB via the witness form on our website at their earliest opportunity.”

The ATSB expects a preliminary report into the incident to be delivered in about two months.