Foreshores pilot Rhys Annis-Brown killed in Christmas Eve light plane crash
A young Central Queensland pilot has been identified as one of two people who were tragically killed in a light plane crash on Christmas Eve in the Northern Territory.
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A young Central Queensland pilot from the Gladstone region has been identified as one of two people who were tragically killed in a light plane crash on Christmas Eve in the Northern Territory.
Rhys Annis-Brown was a Katherine Aviation line pilot who hailed from Foreshores and Boyne Island.
Rhys was the son Chris and Therese Annis-Brown and brother of Jordan and Mikaele, a funeral notice published by Boyne Tannum Funerals and Cremations this week detailed.
The 23-year-old graduated from Toowoomba’s Qantas pilot Academy, Flight Training Adelaide Queensland, in June 2022 before joining Katherine Aviation in August.
He was checked to line - given his aircraft competency check on the Cessna 210N - in late September.
Rhys had been in the position for fewer than five months when his light plane Cessna 210N was declared missing on December 24, 2022 after it failed to arrive at Tindal Airport after leaving Gove Airport at 8.30am.
It took two days for police to reach the isolated wreckage near Bulman, 240km north east of Katherine.
The aviation safety watchdog, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the light plane was “destroyed” in the crash.
Rhys and his 43-year-old female passenger did not survive.
Tributes have been pouring in for the young pilot on social media.
Chloe McDowell Liggins wrote on Facebook that Rhys was “taken way too soon”.
“You never walked past without smiling or saying hello, you never blew off a conversation and you always got along with everyone,” she wrote.
“You were one of the nicest, most genuine guys I knew.
“Your absence is an absolute tragedy and will always be felt, especially by your friends and family.
“I’m sure the pain is immeasurable, glad you were doing what you love. Rest in peace.”
A funeral for Rhys will be held at Boyne Tannum Memorial Parklands Crematorium Chapel on Pioneer Drive, Boyne Island, on January 16 at 10am.
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