Sydney Airport has unveiled a bright orange memorial bench beneath its control tower in honour of Jake Anastas, a former employee and aspiring pilot who died in a light plane crash in October 2024.
The bench, made from the wing of an old Ansett Australia aircraft, was designed by Anastas’ family, friends, and colleagues.
“The bench … is a lasting tribute in a location that reflects his love of aviation,” said Sydney Airport Chief Operating Officer Adrian Witherow, adding that “Jake is remembered with love and is deeply missed by everyone at Sydney Airport.”
Anastas, 29, was killed alongside his instructor, Qantas captain Gary Criddle, and another pilot, Khadervali Gagguturu, in what his family described as a “freak” mid-air collision near Belimbla Park.
His mother, Nichole Anastas, said her son’s love of flying began as a child and that he dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot.
“When he was a baby in a pram, [he] was always pointing up to the sky as planes were going by,” she recalled.
Jake worked as an electrician with Sydney Airport’s first response team, and following his death, his family received an outpouring of support from the community and aviation industry.
His wife, Tori, described him as “loving and caring … he loved flying and made everything brighter.”
At the recent unveiling, Jake’s parents and sister gathered to reflect on his life. “It was lovely to see how loved and respected he was from his work colleagues,” Ms Anastas said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Source: ABC.
