Bev and Terry Fisher, both in their 60s and from Pakenham, were heading north to Mudgee on Sunday when their two-seater plane crashed metres from the runway.

Their daughter-in-law Tracy Fisher posted a tribute to the couple of Facebook last night.

"Devastated and heartbroken for my husband today as his parents died in a plane crash," she wrote.

And in a second post, with a picture of the couple standing in front of a light plane: "Bev and Terry doing what they loved best. Just can't believe it!!".

Mr Fisher had 40 years' flying experience.

Witnesses told the Seven Network the plane's single engine was spluttering as it approached the runway.

"It just dropped, just like a rock, straight down," witness Grant Willetts said.

The pilots of another three planes travelling with the couple landed safely.

"This is tragic. Not only are the people they were travelling with ... devastated but it impacts on a lot of, lot of people," Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside said.

The couple died at the scene.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has joined an investigation by police and specialist forensic officers.

A crime scene has been established.