Despite the best efforts of nearby property owners, a man died in a light plane crash on a property east of Rowena yesterday.

Just after 11.50am on Saturday 4 December, officers from the Central North Police District were called to a property at Moomin Road, Rowena – about 138km west of Moree – following reports a light aircraft had crashed into a paddock and caught fire.

Neighbouring residents who witnessed the crash attempted to assist the pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, prior to the arrival of emergency services.

Officers from NSW Rural Fire Service extinguished the blaze, however the plane was destroyed.

The male pilot died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.

A crime scene has been established and police will work with Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators as inquiries into the crash continue.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is treated in strict confidence.

The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.