Emergency services called to Queensland light plane crash

Police have confirmed two people have died in a light plane crash in Queensland.

The single-engine light aircraft was carrying two men when it crashed at Heck Field in Woongoolba, south of Brisbane, around 6am.

The crash occurred shortly after takeoff.

 


Two people have died in a light plane crash in Queensland.© Today

Initial investigations have identified the pilot as a 73-year-old from Beenleigh.

The passenger is believed to be from Sydney.

The investigation is ongoing and will involve specialists from Queensland’s crash unit, Queensland Police, and aviation authorities.

The flight was logged with the Civil Aviation Authority.

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Multiple paramedic units were called to the airfield near Gross Road at 5.57 am.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has also commenced a transport safety investigation into the accident.

The aircraft was destroyed in fire sparked by the crash but transport safety investigators will examine the site and wreckage to gather evidence.

Any aircraft components of interest that can be recovered will be taken to the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra for further examination.

Investigators will also interview any witnesses and collect flight tracking data, CCTV footage, pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.

Anyone with footage of the accident or its immediate aftermath should contact the ATSB via its online witness form.

A preliminary report about the circumstances of the accident is expected in about 8 weeks.

 


Smoke from the fire sparked by the crash can be seen from the air.© Today

Emergency services struggled to access the isolated scene about 30 minutes north of the Gold Coast.

Firefighters from rural and city fire crews were called to the scene to extinguish a grassfire caused by the crash.

Fire crews said the blaze had spread across about 150 acres of sugar fields and bushland by 11am.

Hot and windy conditions also made it difficult for fire crews to contain the blaze, which has produced flame heights in excess of five and six metres.