Pilots identified after two light aircraft crash mid-air in Queensland

The men have been remembered as “bright lights” after their two aircraft collided in a “graphic” crash.

The two pilots killed when a glider and an ultralight aircraft collided midair at Kybong, near Gympie, have been identified.

Christopher ‘Bob’ Turner, an 80-year-old man from Caboolture, and Barry Irvine, a 77-year-old from Glenwood, were both killed when their aircraft collided in the air and crashed into a paddock.

Mr Turner has been remembered as a "bright light". Picture: ABC

Mr Irvine’s Daughter Janette Kersnovske on Thursday night confirmed on social media the news her father was the second victim.

“Family and friends, tragically my father Barry Irvine was one of the pilots killed in this plane crash yesterday afternoon and our family is devastated,” she said.

Others commenting on the post paid tribute to Mr Irvine.

Barry Irvine, a 77-year-old from Glenwood, was killed when his aircraft collided with another in the air and crashed into a paddock.

“He was doing what he loved the most, flying his plane,” one said.

“Rest in the clouds on the wings of the angels,” wrote another.

While a third said: “Barry’s going to miss his guitar playing around the fire”.

Mr Turner has been remembered as a kind and quiet man who taught many how to fly light aircraft.

“Yesterday we lost one of the bright lights of Queensland gliding … we grieve at the loss of Bob Turner, a real character, with long ties to gliding in Gympie and Caboolture,” safety manager of Gliding Autralia Drew McKinnie said.

Mr Turner (right) was also a driving instructor. Picture: ABC

Mr Irvine’s family issued a statement today.

“Barry, a talented musician, lived his life to the fullest and flying was his passion for many decades,” they said.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the other pilot involved.”

Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene at Kybong, south of Gympie, at 2.50pm on Wednesday.

Investigators at the scene of plane wreckage at Kybong where two aeroplanes collided leaving two people dead. Picture Lachie Millard

“There’s no doubt about it, this is a tragic incident … it’s a terrible scene, a terrible incident, terrible for the family and obviously for those involved,” Gympie Patrol Group Inspector Brad Inskip said.

A single-occupant glider and another ultralight aircraft were involved in the crash, according to police.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash. Picture: Contributed

“We will be looking into the possibility that there was a collision meet here, but it’s very early days, and we’re really not sure,” he said.

Police said the glider had left from a nearby local gliding club.

“It’s a small, little regional gliding club; they all know each other,” Inspector Inskip said.

First responders described graphic scenes where the two planes plummeted to the ground. Picture Lachie Millard

“So this is going to hit the community very hard, especially those clubs involved, for sure.”

Police have set up two crime scenes across the paddock, “approximately 200m apart”.

A witness described hearing a loud sound and saw bits of the plane falling. Picture Lachie Millard

“There is evidence to suggest that (a mid-flight collision) has occurred, but we’re not ruling anything out at this stage,” Inspector Inskip said.

“We were sitting on the veranda having a cuppa, and we heard a big bang,” a witness told 7 News.

“We thought that didn’t sound like a gunshot, and we looked up and saw white bits of plane falling out of the sky.”

Originally published as Pilots identified after two light aircraft crash mid-air in Queensland