The 51-year-old from Oak Flats and his partner Michelle Stewart, of Albion Park, perished when Mr Benko's microlight plane crashed into a paddock at Dundee in the Northern Tablelands on Sunday morning.

"They will both be truly missed by everyone and myself especially," wrote Mr Benko's son Jacob, confirming the pair's death on Facebook.

The couple were visiting friends at the River Glen B&B Farmstay, which has its own private airstrip for light aircraft to take off and land. Mr Benko worked all over the state, forming close relationships with many locals.

"It's all just too raw at the moment," said Michele Lawson, part owner of the farmstay, too distraught to speak.

Those close to the pair have described the incident as "strange" as Mr Benko was a keen flyer and known to have a "fastidious" nature in the cockpit.

"I never had concerns when he went flying ... it's such a mysterious accident, but we must deal with facts and not speculate," said good friend Ned MacIntosh of West Wollongong.

He described the pilot as particularly safety conscious, saying his electrical training made him meticulous.

"That family has had to deal with one tragedy after another ... Steve lost his wife Tracy to cancer just three years ago."

Meeting new partner Michelle was the best remedy for the father of three, with friends hoping the well-matched couple would have a long and lasting relationship.

"It's so sad to lose them in these circumstances," Mr MacIntosh said. "It's just so final, the only thing now is to look after the living."

The accident has devastated the Benko family, including Mr Benko's elderly mother Gizella and children Rachel, Jacob and Jessica.

Online tributes have poured in for the couple.

"[Michelle] has been a massive part of my life growing up and he was such a humble amazing man he would do anything for anyone and always had a smile on his face," posted Craig Casey Furner.

A colleague who worked across from the Benko business, Rivers Solar and Electrical Services in Oak Flats, said he knew the electrician well.

"He was like a second dad ... he would always go out of his way to help someone, even it was an inconvenience to him," the man, who did not want to be named, said.

He said the 51-year-old often went to other work sites just to help out.

"He was a respected man above and beyond, in his business and personally."

Investigations are ongoing with aviation experts including the Hang Gliding Federation helping police.

A Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman said once they had a report they would look into the matter further.