A teenage pilot has been killed in a light plane crash shortly after taking off from an airport in Sydney’s south-west on Wednesday afternoon.

The sole occupant, believed to be a 16-year-old boy, was piloting a Cessna 172.

The plane took off near Camden Airport before the tragic accident about 3.15pm near Brownlow Hill Loop Road, Brownlow Hill.

“Shortly after take-off from Camden, the aircraft descended and collided with terrain approximately 3 kilometres west of the airport while conducting circuit operations,” said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

The victim has not been publicly identified.

The ATSB said it would deploy a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra and Brisbane offices, specialising in aeronautical engineering, aircraft maintenance and operations.

“Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities on site, including site mapping, wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.

“Investigators will also seek to interview any witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.”

The ATSB asked anyone who may have witnessed or has photos or video footage of the aircraft at any phase of the flight to make contact at their earliest opportunity on this website link.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.