Man dies and pilot taken to hospital after light plane crash in Ball Bay, Queensland

A man has died in a Christmas Eve tragedy in Queensland where a light plane has crashed on a beach. The pilot has been taken to hospital.

An 83-year-old man has died in a light plane crash on a beach north of Mackay in regional Queensland in a Christmas Eve tragedy.

Paramedics rushed to the scene and a rescue helicopter was dispatched following the crash just after 8am at Ball Bay, about 45km north of Mackay.

Queensland Police have confirmed to news.com.au that an 83-year-old male passenger died at the scene of the crash.

The crash took place after 8am today.

A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said paramedics including a rescue helicopter have transported the 65-year-old pilot, stable with head injuries, to Mackay Base Hospital.

“Police and emergency services responded and the pilot, a 65-year-old Haliday Bay man, was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital for treatment of his injuries,” police said in a statement.

“The passenger, an 83-year-old Kuttabul man, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The Forensic Crash Unit will assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with investigations and police will prepare a report for the coroner. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.”

The wreckage of the light aircraft remains on the beach as forensic investigations get under way into the tragedy.

Inspector Damien Wells told the Courier Mailthe pilot of the privately-owned plane reported engine issues and attempted to make an emergency landing.

It crashed onto the sand about 100m from the vegetation strip.

The badly damaged light plane that crashed. Picture: Janessa Ekert

The crash took place at Ball Bay north of Mackay. Picture: Janessa Ekert

#RACQ#CQRescue has transported the pilot of a small plane to Mackay Base Hospital after the aircraft crashed on the beach at Ball Bay this morning. pic.twitter.com/cXb9YBNPus

— RACQ CQ Rescue (@cq_rescue) December 23, 2021

Inspector Damien Wells said the privately owned plane left a nearby airstrip but it was not known what time the flight departed.

But soon after takeoff, Inspector Wells said the pilot reported engine issues and attempted to make an emergency landing.

It crashed onto the sand about 100m from the vegetation strip.

Emergency services are on scene along with the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter service.

The crash comes after the death of four people in a light plane crash north of Brisbane less than a week ago.

#BallBay - Paramedics, including a Rescue Helicopter are assessing two patients at the scene of a light plane crash on the beach off Ward Esplanade just after 8am.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) December 23, 2021

– More to come

Originally published as Man dies and pilot taken to hospital after light plane crash in Ball Bay, Queensland