Mark Christie, 63, died when his two-seater plane crashed into crocodile infested waters near Darwin, in Australia, with his son paying tribute calling him “fun” and “inspirational”
A pilot who died when his plane crashed into crocodile-infested waters has been named as his son described him as “fun” and “inspirational”.
Mark Christie, 63, was killed when his ultralight aircraft went down near Darwin in Australia last Sunday. A 29-year-old woman who was also on the plane but reportedly uninjured, was winched from the scene and taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital for assessment.
Crocodiles inhabit Fogg Dam where the plane crashed with the Northern Territory government’s website urging people to keep away from the area.
Mr Christie had an open cockpit two-seater plane called a Drifter which he used as a hobby and he would share videos and photos from flights on a blog and YouTube channel. His son Joe has now reportedly told how his dad was “fun, aspirational, inspirational and respectful”.
In a tribute he said: “My dad loves acronyms, and by far his favourite one was FAIR (Fun, Aspiration, Inspiration and Respect). Mark Christie was many different things to many different people throughout his life: an officer, a consultant, a business owner, a public servant, an educator, a photographer, a traveller, a pilot and a friend; but in everything he did, he was consistently fun, aspirational, inspirational and respectful.”
He also told how he was a “family man” who gave him his “spark for adventure”, reported ABC News. He continued: “”In the end, I can take solace in the fact that dad passed away doing what he loved. For all that knew him, he lives on in us, in the fun we have, in our aspirations to do better, in our ability to inspire others and in the respect we show each other.”
Former Australian politician Kezia Purick who knew him for many years said he was an experienced pilot and a “great bloke”. She told ABC Radio Darwin: “His ultralight flying was, following his family, one of his great loves. He was a treasure, there’s no doubt about it.”
She also told how he was an excellent science teacher. “He just had such enthusiasm and the kids loved him and all his geeky things he used to get involved with,” Ms Purick said.
NT Education Department acting chief executive Tony Considine reportedly called Mr Christie a “valued colleague and friend”. He continued: “Mark was a passionate digital innovator who was always keen to assist school staff to support learning. Many colleagues in our corporate offices that knew Mark are grieving today.”
The Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife said the dam was closed until today following the crash. “Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services have requested that Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve remains closed whilst incident management and recovery operations continue,” the post read. “Expected reopen may be Wednesday 15 January 2025.”