Terrifying footage obtained by 9News shows the moment the helicopter – a Robinson R22 – plummeted towards the ground at Bankstown Airport following low-level aerial exercises.

It rapidly lost altitude and crashed through multiple trees and into a car on Birch Street.

The instructor was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

The 19-year-old student was helped out of the wreckage before being treated for serious injuries and taken to Liverpool Hospital, where he is now in a serious condition.

“I was in class on the other side of the airport, and then one of the people in my class got a call from one of his friends saying that she was in one of the warehouses and she heard something and came running out,” a witness from Bankstown Flying School said.

“Obviously tried to help, pulled the student out who is pretty shaken up, pretty bad.”

A crime scene was set up by police, who will prepare a report for the coroner.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will launch an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Credits: 9News

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This represents a 7% increase on 2024, and the highest number of international passengers ever recorded for a September peak.

On the domestic front, 1.62 million passengers are expected to travel through the T2 and T3 terminals, up 3% on last year. Combined, almost 2.7 million passengers will pass through the airport during the three-week period, 113,000 more than 2024.

The busiest day for international travel is forecast to be Saturday, September 27, with more than 55,000 passengers expected.

With the AFL and NRL Grand Finals falling in the September peak, footy fans are expected to join holidaymakers in adding to the buzz across the terminals. Friday, October 3 is forecast to be the busiest domestic day, with close to 90,000 passengers as families and fans take off for the long weekend.

Top destinations this spring include Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, while international travel is strongest to New Zealand, the United States and China, with many passengers connecting through hubs like Singapore to reach Asia and Europe.

In preparation, Sydney Airport is boosting staffing across all terminals. For drop-offs some vehicles may be directed to the arrivals level during the peak times to improve traffic flow. Passengers can then access the departures level via lifts and escalators.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “This is shaping up to be our busiest September holiday period for international travel, and we’re well prepared to welcome 2.7 million passengers across our three terminals.

“With international demand stronger than ever, and domestic travel continuing to grow, we’re focused on making sure every journey is smooth. We thank passengers for their patience as we deliver major upgrades, from faster security at T1 and T2 and new dining options at T3.”

Upgrades across the terminals

At T1 International, eleven of 15 new CT security lanes are already in use, with the full rollout due by November. Once complete, the upgrade will boost screening capacity by almost 30% and allow passengers to keep laptops, liquids and aerosols in their carry-on bags.

Installation of next generation checked baggage screening equipment is also underway across T1, T2 and T3, boosting security and capacity ahead of the summer peak.

At T2 Domestic, the A$200 million upgrade is progressing, with the first two new security screening lanes set to open on Friday October 10, in time for the final weekend of the school holidays.

Recent improvements include two new escalators and a partial staircase post-security, which opened in July. Work is also underway on four new lifts that will improve accessibility between check-in, concourse and arrivals.

The upgrade will deliver new security lanes, check-in kiosks and bag drop systems designed to more than double capacity and make the passenger journey faster and easier.

At T3 Domestic, works are underway on a major dining upgrade, with new options set to open from late 2025. Headlining the line-up is Icebergs, bringing a coastal Italian menu inspired by the iconic Bondi venue.

Icebergs will be joined by LouLou, Maggio’s and Lotus Dumpling Bar, alongside local favorites RaRa, Tres Tacos and Stitch Coffee. Together, they will deliver Sydney Airport’s most ambitious terminal dining upgrade yet.

Credits: Sydney Airport

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