Lawyers for Leslie Ronald Woodall to cross-examine aviation experts in pre-trial hearing

Lawyers for the pilot allegedly involved in a 2017 crash in central Queensland that killed a UK tourist will cross-examine expert aviation witnesses in a pre-trial hearing.

Leslie Ronald Woodall is facing two counts of dangerously operating or interfering with the operation of a vehicle causing death of grievous bodily harm for his alleged involvement in a plane crash near Bustard Head, 24km north-west of Agnes Water, in 2017.

A long-running indictment of a pilot alleged to have flown a plane that crashed, killing one passenger and seriously injuring another has been transferred to a Brisbane court following a hearing in Bundaberg District Court.

Leslie Ronald Woodall is facing two counts of dangerously operating or interfering with the operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm for his alleged involvement in a plane crash near Bustard Head, 24km northwest of Agnes Water, in 2017.

Mr Woodall is yet to enter a plea to the charges.

A 29-year-old UK woman was killed in the crash, with an Irish woman of the same age sustaining critical injuries.

Mr Woodall’s barrister requested a hearing in Brisbane to cross-examine some Crown witnesses before the matter proceeded to a trial.

Bundaberg District Court heard Mr Woodall’s barrister, John Ribbands, had requested a hearing in Brisbane to cross-examine some Crown witnesses before the matter proceeded to a trial.

Crown prosecutor Ben Jackson told the court Mr Ribbands’ request related to three expert aviation witnesses intended to be called by the Crown in Mr Woodall’s trial.

Judge Tony Moynihan KC ordered the matter be transferred to a Brisbane court for a mention hearing on August 29, 2023, to determine a date for the pre-trial hearing.

Mr Woodall, who is currently living in the community on bail, was excused from attending the mention hearing.