An Australian pilot was among 12 people killed when a light plane crashed into a swamp while landing at an airport in Papua New Guinea, authorities have confirmed.

Friends are paying tribute to former Sydney man Benjamin Picard, 31, who was flying the plane when it crashed about one kilometre short of the runway at Kiunga in Papua New Guinea's Western Province on Wednesday afternoon.

"Such devastating news Benj. You will be greatly missed," one friend, Matt Smith, wrote on Facebook.

"One of the world's biggest gentleman, such a kind caring soul, always putting others before himself. A friend of so many people from so many different parts of the world. RIP you bloody legend."

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed an Australian man was among those killed when the Britten Norman-Islander plane crashed about 3pm, local time, on Wednesday.

The man's family had been provided with consular assistance, a DFAT spokesperson said.

"We continue to work closely with Papua New Guinea authorities," the spokesperson said.

"Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew of the aircraft and their families."

Local media reports said the aircraft, operated by Sunbird Aviation, experienced engine failure before the crash.

They said that nine people died at the scene and three were taken to hospital where they died.

Three of the passengers who died were children who were travelling with their mother, according to media reports in Papua New Guinea.

One of Mr Picard's friends, Martin Dawson, wrote online: "RIP benny. We've lost a top pilot and an even better bloke."

Lyn Sauna, one of Mr Picard's friends from Papua New Guinea, said aviation authorities were investigating the cause of the crash.

"At the moment we just know that he crashed nose first into the swamp next to the strip," Ms Sauna said.