‘Fell from sky’: Pilot killed after ‘kit’ aircraft crashes near Bribie Island

Police a believe a “catastrophic failure” in mid-air triggered a light plane crash near Bribie Island that killed a 53-year-old pilot on Wednesday.

A “catastrophic failure” in mid-air is believed to have triggered a tragic fatal light plane crash near Bribie Island.

The pilot of a light aircraft that crashed near Bribie Island has been killed with witnesses reporting seeing the plane ‘fall from the sky’.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson confirmed the plane had crashed in the Pumicestone Passage just before 9.30am and the pilot had died.

No one else was in the aircraft.

He said witnesses had seen the aircraft falling out of the sky.

It was understood a wing may have become dislodged from the single-engine Acroduster aerobatic plane which crashed into mangroves alongside the Pumicestone Passage.

Sunshine Coast Police district duty officer Senior Sergeant Steve Hall said witnesses had reported seeing the plane performing manoeuvres shortly before a “catastrophic incident” which caused it to crash.

Sergeant Hall said police would prepare a report for the coroner on the circumstances of the 53-year-old man’s death while the Australian Transport Safety Bureau would investigate what caused the plane to come down.

Sergeant Hall described it as a “catastrophic failure” of the plane which crashed about 300m from a nearby pineapple farm.

The plane was understood to have had a connection to Caboolture or Redcliffe but police reported it had taken off from Caloundra about 7.20am Wednesday.

The aircraft was a small single-engine plane designed for aerobatics called an Acroduster.

It is an amateur-built aircraft and bought in a kit.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) this afternoon said a team of safety investigators with experience in aircraft operations and maintenance was going to the accident scene.

“Once on site, investigators will map the accident site with a drone, and should access permit, look to examine the wreckage. The ATSB will also analyse available recorded data and interview witnesses and other involved parties,” an ATSB statement said.

Emergency services preparing to access the scene of a fatal plane crash off Bribie Island. Picture: Aisling Brennan

“The ATSB asks anyone who may have seen the aircraft in any phase of its flight, or who may have footage of any kind, to make contact via the witness form on the atsb.gov.au website.

“A preliminary report outlining basic factual information from the investigation’s early phases is anticipated to be published in a number of weeks, while a final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement said.

“However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”

Emergency crews are working to access the scene of the light plane crash from ground level.

Access to the site has proven difficult, with crews contacting surrounding private landowners to try and organise a way to get closer to the crash site.

Emergency crews walk across the mudflats. Photo: 7 News Brisbane

Emergency crews winch down to the scene. Photo: 7 News Brisbane

First responders had to be winched down to the stricken plane given its location and the difficult terrain.

Dozens of emergency services workers are on-scene including police, paramedics and specialist firefighters.

Members of the swift water rescue team are also at the staging site at present.

Emergency services initially responded to reports of an aircraft in “difficulty” near Bribie Island, with multiple helicopters sent to the scene.

Police said they received a call at 9.25am regarding an “aviation incident”.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokesman confirmed it was co-ordinating a response to a light aircraft that had ditched in Pumicestone Passage near Bribie Island.

“AMSA has tasked two search and rescue helicopters and Queensland Police are assisting with a surface response,” a spokesman said.

“No further information is available at this time while the operation is underway.”

Emergency crews have been called out to Bribie Island following reports of a plane in the water. Picture: FlightTracker

Emergency services, including multiple police crews, water police and the PolAir helicopter responded.

Surf Life Saving Queensland also sent the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter after being tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.