Rhiley Kuhrt failed to complete pilot licence at aero club before Proserpine plane crash

New details have emerged about the “bush pilot” flying the light plane that crashed near Proserpine, killing him and his heavily pregnant wife.

A self-confessed “bush pilot” had not completed his recreational pilot licence (RPL) at a local aero club before the stockman and his heavily pregnant wife were killed in a plane crash.

Rhiley Kuhrt, the 22-year-old son of a Mackay senior sergeant, and his pregnant wife Maree, 24, died when their plane crashed halfway up Mount Hector Range during a storm on Sunday afternoon.

Darling Downs Aero Club president and CEO Allan Bougoure said Mr Kuhrt completed about 30 hours of training at the club but left before he obtained his licence.

He was unable to confirm if Mr Kuhrt had obtained a licence through another club but it is understood Mr Kuhrt’s Flightradar24 history does not indicate further training.

Rhiley Kuhrt was the pilot in the fatal light plane near Proserpine on Sunday afternoon.

A recreational pilot is only allowed to fly within 25 nautical miles of a departure aerodrome unless they hold a navigation endorsement, according to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The couple had flown from Natal Downs Station, near Charters Towers, in a Piper Cherokee they had only bought about five months ago en route to Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury but never arrived.

Mr Bougoure said the distance from Natal Downs Station to Proserpine is about 140 nautical miles, 115 nautical miles more than a recreational pilot would be allowed to fly.

If Mr Kuhrt had not obtained an RPL at another aero club he legally should not have been flying solo or with passengers.

Rhiley Kuhrt and his partner Maree, who also died in the light plane crash.

“The only people who would know if (Mr Kuhrt) didn’t have a licence are CASA and (Mr Kuhrt) himself,” he said.

CASA declined to comment on the licence status of Mr Kuhrt amid a plane crash investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said investigators were collecting information on “the pilot’s flying experience and qualifications, the weather at the time of the accident, flight planning information, aircraft maintenance records, and any available recorded data”.

“In addition, considerable site access challenges due to the nature of the terrain will inform the extent of ATSB on-site evidence gathering activities,” Chief Commissioner Mitchell said.

“The ATSB extends its condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this tragic accident.”

Maree and Rhiley Kuhrt.

A police spokeswoman said: “The recovery operation will be protracted with weather and terrain proving challenging”.

“Queensland Police Service and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the incident and police will prepare a report for the coroner in relation to the matter,” she said.

“To respect the privacy of the deceased and their bereaved families, no further updates on the retrieval will be provided.”