Peter Thomas McDougall placed into custody before committed to stand trial

The amateur pilot charged over a fatal Christmas Eve crash was escorted from the courthouse and arrested on the footpath. SEE THE VIDEO

The case against an amateur pilot charged with a string of offences took a dramatic turn when he walked out of his own committal hearing, forcing his arrest.

Amateur pilot Peter Thomas McDougall had his bail revoked and was taken into police custody after scenes at Mackay Magistrates Court on May 27, 2025.

After being asked to then leave the building, Mr McDougall ignored and stayed in the waiting bay before being forced off the premises and into the hands of police

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said Mr McDougall, who was representing himself, “was given every opportunity to stay, so his bail was forfeited”.

Mr McDougall was representing himself in the Mackay Magistrate’s court.

Mr McDougall was later returned to court and placed in the dock where he was committed to stand trial on a suite of charges relating to a fatal plane crash which claimed the life of 83-year-old Gerardus Miltenburg at Ball Bay, Christmas Eve, 2021.

He is facing 18 charges including carrying out maintenance when not permitted, not authorised to perform duty, not authorised commence flight, possess utensils or pipes etc that had been used, possession of dangerous drugs and producing dangerous drugs.

Amateur pilot Peter Thomas McDougall had his bail revoked and was taken into police custody after scenes at Mackay Magistrates Court on May 27, 2025.

After being put in the dock, the court heard that Mr McDougall was not applying for bail after instead saying he wanted “jurisdiction assessed”.

“I’m requesting that the prosecution present the jurisdiction of the court,” he said.

Fatal plane crash at Ball Bay, north of Mackay, on Christmas Eve 2021. Photo: Janessa Ekert

“I’m not questioning that the court doesn’t have any jurisdiction and I’ll comply with the court as soon as the prosecution can produce the required evidence.”

Mr McDougall said he couldn’t “participate in an illegal court until the case is proven by the prosecution”.

“Under the commonwealth constitution 1900 UK they have to produce proof that that is law,” he said.

Ms Hartigan replied saying the prosecution did not need to prove anything and that the matter would be for the upcoming trial.

“We’re in Australia,” she said.

“The law is the law and it applies to you.”

A trial date was given for December 15, 2025 and will be heard in the district court.

Mr McDougall was released on bail following the lengthy court proceedings.