Fernvale plane crash: Investigations continue as cause of fatal incident still unknown

An aviation expert has weighed in on the possible cause of a plane crash that killed three men north of Brisbane as authorities appeal for witnesses.

An investigation has been launched into the light aircraft crash that resulted in the deaths of a father and son and their pilot near Wivenhoe Dam, west of Brisbane.

The Cessna light aircraft was bound for Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport when it took off from Roma at 7.20am on Monday before landing at Dalby shortly before 9am, according to flight tracker data.

It then took off again at 9.15am before being impacted by bad weather, causing it to rapidly drop from 2000ft to 500ft, crashing near Fernvale about 10am, with investigators calling for anyone who saw the aircraft in flight to contact them.

Prominent Roma man Tom Strachan, 49, his son Noah, 20, and their pilot, Gary Liehm, 63, are understood to have died on impact,

The crash site is located in remote bushland, meaning it took some time to locate the wreckage, police say, and all three bodies remain at the scene as emergency services work to remove them.

Aviation expert Keith Tonkin said any number of things could have caused the horrific crash.

“Maybe a problem with fuel, maybe they ran out,” he said.

“As a pilot you’re always looking for places where you can put the plane down if you have to, and if they run out of fuel then that is certainly an option too.

“It also could have been a fault with the engine, which is obviously not great on a single-engine plane because there is no backup, or there could even have been a bird strike and their vision was obscured.

“At the moment, with the information we have, it’s inexplicable.”

Mr Tonkin said weather, too, could have been to blame, but that a pilot with more than 40 years’ experience – which Mr Liehm had – would likely have avoided any weather related obstacles if he had been aware of them.

Inspector Mick Thiesfield said the search commenced around 2.45pm on Monday and included police and Rescue 500 helicopters.

Tom Strachan.

Noah Strachan.

“What appeared to be footage of aircraft was found in the vicinity of bush land and as a result of that police had to traverse through bush land to get to that location,” he said.

“I’m aware that one of the first responders had to use the location of Rescue 500 to establish where the aircraft had crashed.

“The Forensic Crash Unit from Ipswich district are conducting an investigation with the assistance of the ATSB.”

Police have established a forward command post near the site, but it is understood that there is still a considerable hike from the command post to the wreckage, which is strewn over “some distance”.

The flight path of a plane that crashed northwest of Brisbane, killing three men. Picture: FlightAware

Investigators have “ATVs out there due to the terrain to try to get to the location,” Inspector Thiesfield said.

“Our plan for today is that we will continue to work our way through the scene,” Insp Thiesfield said.

“There is wreckage across the hillside and it is going to take some time to work our way through the investigation of the scene.”

The scene is likely to remain guarded on Tuesday night, with tarps expected to be brought in to cover the wreckage ahead of forecast showers.

Inspector Thiesfield said it was still unclear what caused the accident.

“Our primary focus is obviously with respect to the safe removal of the persons that are on that aircraft and ensuring scene security so we can get an accurate picture of what’s happened,” he said, also confirming that the bodies are yet to be moved because the site is so remote.

The crash site is remote and hard to access. Picture: Matt Johnston

Australian Transport Safety Bureau Commissioner Angus Mitchell said an investigation had been launched into how the Cessna R182 light aircraft, registered VH-EHM, crashed.

“The ATSB is deploying a team of transport safety investigators with experience in aircraft operations, maintenance and engineering to the accident site on Tuesday, to begin the evidence collection phase of the investigation,” he said.

“ATSB investigators will survey and map the accident site and collect any relevant components for further examination and analysis. They will also obtain and review any recorded data, weather information, witness reports, and aircraft operator procedures and maintenance records.”

Mr Mitchell said the ATSB was asking anyone who had seen or heard the aircraft flying, or who had footage, to contact [e-mail] as soon as possible.

“The ATSB anticipates publishing a preliminary report, which will detail factual information established during the investigation’s initial evidence collection phase, in approximately 6-8 weeks,” he said.

“The ATSB will publish a final report, detailing contributing factors and any identified safety issues, at the conclusion of the investigation.

“However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”

The Disaster Victim Identification unit is assisting the State Coroner with their inquiries.

“This would be traumatic for anyone that has lost loved ones and that is why police and the State Coroner are trying to do everything they can to try to establish what happened and the safe retrieval of those bodies.”