Australian Transport Safety Bureau reveals suspected cause of fatal plane crash that killed Mungindi pilot Tom Grey

A preliminary report by air safety authorities has revealed the likely cause of a deadly plane crash east of Chinchilla that claimed the life of a beloved Mungindi pilot Tom Grey. Here’s the latest.

A probe into the cause of a plane crash that killed Mungindi pilot Tom Grey are underway, with preliminary investigations revealing a large bird carcass was found inside the cockpit of the wreckage.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been investigating the death as well as the circumstances leading to the bird being found inside the aircraft.

According to the ATSB, on September 19 an Air Tractor AT-502B piloted by Mr Grey had been conducting spray runs on a Canaga property northeast of Chinchilla when a bird strike sent the plane crashing to the ground.

According to the preliminary report, a loader at the private airstrip became concerned when they attempted to call Mr Grey to ask whether he needed more fuel but received no response.

Aerial view of the locations involved in the spraying operations on September 19, 2022.

The loader phoned the operations manager, who in turn contacted nearby farmers to assist with locating the aircraft and at about 12.15pm, a local farmer found the destroyed aircraft in the paddock where Mr Grey had been spraying.

Emergency crews rushed to the Chinchilla-Wondai Rd and T Akins Rd property at 12.20pm but the 32-year-old sadly died at the scene.

Air Tractor wreckage on a property northeast of Chinchilla after a bird strike killed the pilot.

The initial report, released on December 16, indicated the left wing struck the ground at about a 30 degree angle and the propeller and engine indicated that the engine was delivering power at the time of the impact.

“A large bird carcass was found in the cockpit and the bird’s wings were located about 300m north of the wreckage, in-line with the aircraft’s track,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley said.

Mungindi pilot, Tom Grey identified after horror plane crash outside of Chinchilla Picture: Facebook

Mungindi pilot, Tom Grey identified after horror plane crash outside of Chinchilla Picture: Facebook

Recovered specimens of the bird, including the feathers from the wing and residue from the carcass, were identified as an Australian bustard or plains turkey.

“The aircraft operator advised that for the field where the accident occurred, they expected that it would be sprayed at a height of about 2m above the ground, to be just above the weeds,” Dr Godley said.

Dr Godley noted that the investigation was continuing, and would include research into the nature of birdstrikes and similar occurrences.

“Bird strikes resulting in fatal aircraft accidents are very rare, however, the ATSB is currently investigating a separate accident where a wedge-tailed eagle bird carcass was located near the accident site of a Bell LongRanger helicopter, which experienced an in-flight break-up near Maroota, NSW on July 9, 2022.”

A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.