Light plane crashes in paddock at Lyons south of Brisbane
The former owner of plane that crashed south of Brisbane on Friday says he had only sold the two-seat Morane-Saulnier about six weeks ago and it was on its way to its new owner when it went down.
The plane involved in a fiery crash in Logan on Friday was being taken to its new owner in Queensland after being sold just weeks ago.
Former owner Robert Payne, who lives in New South Wales, said he sold the two-seat Morane-Saulnier about six weeks ago through a broker because he wasn’t using it as much as he would have liked.
“It was being ferried from here to Archerfield,” he said.
“[It was in] very good condition, I owned it for over 20 years.
“I was getting on a bit, I wasn’t using it and that’s why I passed it on.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today released a statement confirming they had commenced a transport safety investigation into a suspected engine failure and forced landing accident during a “repositioning flight” from NSW to Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport.
“The ATSB asks 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 the atsb.gov.au website,” he said.
Meanwhile, emergency services are praising the actions of two neighbours of a property where a light plane crashed after they pulled the injured pilot from the wreckage shortly before it burst into flames.
The plane crashed in a paddock on private property off Tully Rd in Lyons, south of Brisbane, shortly before 2.30pm.
QAS Senior Operations Supervisor Mark Nugent said the pilot is a 24-year-old man who had sustained significant injuries.
“He does have a head injury, some chest injuries, long bone injuries and some abdominal injuries,” Mr Nugent said.
“It’s quite a significant incident and yes it is a very fortunate incident for him to be coming away with the injuries that he does have.
The pilot remains in a critical but stable condition at the Princess Alexandra Hospital this morning. He is in the ICU where he is expected to remain today.
Neighbour Aimee Andersen, who said she did not see the plane come down, said two other neighbours pulled the man from the plane.
“[A neighbour] said she was watching it fly and then the engine just stopped and crashed,” Ms Anderson said.
“And then [two other neighbours] went down and pulled him out.
“[They said he was] a young guy, alive, but not sure what his injuries are.”
Mr Nugent said the civilians who pulled the man from the wreckage should be commended for their actions.
“People who see these incidents and act it that way, it’s just remarkable to see,” he said.
He said the pilot had “a level of consciousness” when paramedics arrived and was able to communicate to some extent.
Locals said the area is common as a small plane flight path.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said he had serious head and chest injuries and was expected to be flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
A rescue helicopter has flown the pilot to hospital.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said two crews had responded to a call at 2.30pm amid reports the plane was on fire.
Originally published as Light plane crashes in paddock at Lyons south of Brisbane
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