Plane crash: Two men found dead in light aircraft wreck in thick bushland in Sunshine Coast hinterland

Police have described the plane crash that killed two men in the Sunshine Coast hinterland as “absolutely tragic”, as they ramp up their investigations into the possible cause.

Police have described the plane crash that killed two men in the Sunshine Coast hinterland as “absolutely tragic” as investigators continue to piece together what caused the incident.

Inspector Jason Overland told reporters the bodies of the two men, 30 and 46, had been removed from the wreckage, located in thick scrub, overnight.

“It’s obviously a very sad time for everyone here on the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “It was a tragic outcome for the two people and their families here. It’s absolutely tragic.”

Officers found the lifeless bodies of the two men inside the wrecked Cessna-150 Aerobat on a private property after scouring through thick bushland off Commissioners Flat Road at Peachester about 8.50pm on Wednesday.

George Page, owner of the property where the plane crashed, speaks to police. Picture: Lachie Millard

Inspector Overland said the men had left Sunshine Coast Airport, in Marcoola, in the two-seater light plane about 11am but a multi-agency search was initiated when they failed to return to the airport at the expected time three hours later.

The plane is expected to remain at the scene until investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) decide to take it away for further investigations.

“The scene is being preserved so the investigators from the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau can conduct a thorough investigation,” Inspector Overland said.

The plane that crashed in the Sunshine Coast hinterland has been identified as a Cessna-150 Aerobat.

An ATSB spokesman said the plane was hired for a private flight with the two pilots on board.

“A team of four transport safety investigators from the ATSB’s Brisbane office with expertise in aircraft operations, engineering and maintenance is deploying to the accident site on Thursday,” he said.

“On site, investigators will examine the aircraft wreckage and site surrounds, and seek to recover any relevant components for detailed examination.

“The ATSB will also analyse available recorded data, review pilot and maintenance records, and interview witnesses and involved parties.”

The spokesman urged anyone who may have seen the aircraft in any phase of its flight, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, to make contact via the witness form on their website.

Records show the plane was 45 years old and had been owned by the Sunshine Coast Aero Club only since March 2021.

The single engine aircraft had a registration number of VH-CYO.

Sunshine Coast Aero Club said on its website the club was one of the leading professional flight training facilities on the Sunshine Coast.

Bushland where a plane crashed, killing two men on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Lachie Millard

The club focuses on providing affordable professional flight training courses for recreational pilots, as well as advanced skills training for specialised manoeuvres including aerobatics, spin Recovery and formation.

The club trains, hosts social events and raises funds for charity groups.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson is the club patron.

Property owner Gordon Page, who has lived on the property where the plane was found since 1937, said a creek runs through the middle of the paddock, making access difficult for authorities.

Mr Page was playing golf when he arrived home and saw helicopters flying overhead which he assumed was for an escaped criminal.

“Some of it is thick, but you can’t get across the creek to where it is,” Mr Page said.

“It’s very boggy going through the neighbours place.

“Young people too, it is sad. Not good.”

Mr Page said there were often planes doing training exercises in the area but he did not know of any major crashes.

A number of people took to social media describing how they had heard a small plane flying near the crash site which they believed had engine issues and “didn’t sound right”.

“Both the neighbour and I looked up,” one woman wrote.

“It was very noisy, something just wasn’t right with it.”

Senior Sergeant Brett Young told reporters at the scene on Wednesday night authorities had received reports of “a light plane flying overhead” from 3pm.

Police forensic crash officers are at the scene of a fatal plane crash in bushland beside Commissioners Flat Road at Peachester. Picture: Natalie Wynne

But he said it was still unclear what caused the crash.

“We’re unsure why or how the crash occurred and we’ll be investigating the matter further,” he said.

The Queensland Fire Service arrived at the scene late that night to help with the retrieval of the bodies while police were manning the wreckage.

Sergeant Young said it was a “big job” to retrieve the bodies because of the wreckage’s bushland location.

“The plane is located about 50m from the roadway,” he said. “It’s in thick bushland, so it’s quite a track to get into the wreckage and we’re doing all we can to get in there and secure the scene and retrieve the deceased.”

A resident speaks with a police officer near the scene of a fatal plane crash in bushland beside Commissioners Flat Road at Peachester. Picture: Natalie Wynne

Police said the next of kin had been informed.

Officers set up a command post on the side of the road near Ferris Lane on Wednesday and were seen climbing through fences and walking into thick scrub.

Residents were watching from the roadside as a search plane continued to circle overhead despite the dark.

AMSA confirmed it was co-ordinating the search for the overdue light aircraft near Landsborough on Wednesday.

The flight path of a search aircraft on a mission to find an overdue light plane missing in the Peachester region.

A Bombardier Challenger 604 jet aircraft left Essendon, Victoria, about 4.45pm on Wednesday to scour the Landsborough and Peachester region after the light plane was reported missing earlier that day.

The search plane, which has visual detection and ranging technology, was still circling the area well into the night about 9pm.

A Surf Life Saving helicopter which was involved in the search earlier was stood down at nightfall and preparing to resume its search at “first light”.

A Surf Life Saving Queensland spokeswoman said the Westpac Lifesaver rescue helicopter was among the units involved in the search.

#UPDATE - Lifesaver 45 has now returned to base after searching for an overdue aircraft near #Landsborough. They are on standby to return to the search area at first light. pic.twitter.com/tvDKsNLbde

— Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) (@lifesavingqld) June 23, 2021

She said the Gold Coast chopper was tasked to the area at 4.15pm after being involved in an earlier search for a missing diver off North Stradbroke Island.

The spokeswoman said the chopper remained on scene until last light and was stood down at 5.20pm.

“They’ve been stood down and returned back to base but are on standby to return to the search area at first light,” she said.