Police and emergency services were called to Ewingar Ridge Road, about 20 kilometres south of Tabulam, following reports of a plane crash on Saturday.

North Coast pilot John Crumpton will be interviewed by air crash investigators after his Maule plane hit power lines and then crashed into the Clarence River.

Mr Crumpton had picked up a father and daughter from Murwillumbah and was going for a joy flight to Tenterfield.

Both Mr Crumpton, 53, and his 39-year-old male passenger, who suffered serious injuries, were taken to the Lismore Base hospital, where they remained yesterday.

In the moments after the fatal crash, Mr Crumpton managed to free himself from the wreckage, climb up the river bank and raise the alarm.

He also helped pull the father and daughter from the plane.

The 12-year-old female passenger died at the scene.

A crime scene has been established and will be examined by specialist forensic officers.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau, which has received aerial photos of the crash from the Lismore Westpac Life Saver rescue helicopter, will not send a crew to the site.

A report on the young girl’s death will be prepared for the Coroner.