The pilot was believed to have been returning from Parkes after undertaking sub-contracting courier work for Bathurst-based Air Freight Solutions.

The man’s name had not been formally released yesterday but members of Bathurst’s close-knit flying community were aware of the crash.

One close friend described the pilot as a very experienced aviator who did a regular daily run from Bankstown Airport through to Orange and out to Condobolin.

Attempts to contact Air Freight Solutions yesterday were unsuccessful, with calls going through to a message bank.

The man was last night reported to be in a serious but stable condition in Orange Base Hospital.

Meanwhile, Orange police are still trying to determine what caused the crash.

Local emergency services were called to the airport at 5.45pm on Tuesday after the light plane crashed into an airport hanger leaving the 43-year-old Bathurst pilot with head injuries.

Inspector Luke Rankin said it was still unclear why the accident happened or if the foggy conditions were a contributing factor.

It is believed the plane clipped the top of a hanger as it approached the airport from the south west.

As a result of the collision the plane nosedived and impacted with the tarmac before skidding into another hanger, scattering debris over a 300 metre radius.

The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the plane, was able to free himself from the wreck and walk to a nearby hanger, where he was later treated by ambulance officers.

After the pilot was transported to Orange Base Hospital, firefighters worked to control fuel leakage and fumes from the crash.

A team of investigators was at the scene yesterday in order to do some further “analysis in the daylight”, Inspector Rankin said.

The Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has also been notified of the incident.