The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says final reports into two separate plane crashes in the Port Macquarie area during 2017 will soon be finalised.
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An ATSB spokesperson said the complex nature of aircraft crashes meant reports could take longer than 12 months to complete.
“It is important to note that accident investigations are complex and dynamic," the ATSB spokesperson said.
"The priority of the ATSB is always the thoroughness of an investigation to ensure that any systemic safety issues are identified and addressed.
"This means that complex investigations can take longer than 12 months if necessary in order to ensure a robust investigation with the appropriate third party input and reviews.
“Also, the ATSB does not wait for the completion of an investigation before amplifying its safety messages.
"If a critical or significant safety issue is identified during the course of the investigation, we notify the relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”
In the first incident on September 8, 2017, a Diamond DA40, VH-YPQ, collided with terrain shortly after take off from Port Macquarie airport.
Preliminary investigations indicate the crash, in which a flight instructor and student were seriously injured, had shown the aircraft lost a significant amount of power in the seconds before impact.
The accident occurred at 8.30pm.
“The instructor reported noticing a ‘surging’ sound and feel on initial climb towards the end of the runway and felt as though the engine had lost a significant amount of power,” the preliminary report said.
The ATSB spokesperson said the investigation into this incident was currently in the examination and analysis phase.
"At this stage, the final report into this accident is anticipated to be released during the third quarter of 2018," the spokesperson added.
The second plane crash on October 28 claimed the lives of Grant Burley and his fiance Suzanne Rohleder.
The Cessna 310 crashed near Mr Burley's Johns River property.
Mr Burley had flown the plane from Toowoomba in Queensland.
The ATSB spokesperson said the investigation into the October 28 crash is also in the examination and analysis phase.
"At this stage, the final report into this accident is anticipated to be released during the fourth quarter of 2018," the ATSB spokesperson said.
