The man, believed to be in his 70s, was the only person on board and it is believed he was travelling to Bathurst.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman said the organisation detected a distress beacon registered to a light aircraft in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park at Oberon.

A Toll rescue helicopter was then tasked from Bankstown to investigate the crash, arriving half an hour later.

Despite difficult search conditions, including mountainous terrain and smoke from bushfires, the rescue crew located the crash site.

The spokeswoman said a crew member was winched down to the aircraft and confirmed the pilot was dead.

NSW Police has now taken control of the crash site.

A crime scene has been established by officers from Chifley Police District.

POLAIR and Police Rescue officers will retrieve the body.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified.

The spokeswoman expressed condolences to the pilot and family and thanked the rescue crew for their swift response and efforts to locate the crash site.