Three killed in light plane crash

Three people were killed when a light plane crashed into bushland west of Brisbane on Monday afternoon.

The scene of the Cessna crash west of Brisbane. Picture: ABC

Three people were killed when a light plane crashed into bushland west of Brisbane on Monday afternoon.

Rescue authorities found the Cessna light aircraft had split in two, with the wreckage spread across 50m of bushland.

It is believed the plane had flown into bad weather conditions, causing it to drop from a height of 2000ft to 500ft before crashing near Fernvale.

According to 7News, a senior helicopter pilot who had decades of flying experience was one of the victims.

The helicopter pilot had worked for Queensland Fire and Rescue and had flown celebrities including actor Chris Hemsworth.

Preliminary information suggests the Cessna departed Dalby at 10am on Monday and was ­expected to land at Archerfield at 2pm.

When the plane failed to ­arrive, the alarm was raised about 2.40pm and authorities began a search for it.

Queensland Police said on Monday night the three ­people who died were the only ­occupants of the plane.

“The aircraft was located ­during an aerial search and all three occupants were ­pronounced deceased at the scene,” a Queensland Police statement said.

“The Forensic Crash Unit will ­investigate circumstances of the crash with assistance from the Australian Transport Safety ­Bureau.”

As the investigations continue, a report will be prepared for the coroner.

The crash site is located northwest of Ipswich and just under an hour from Brisbane’s CBD.

The terrain made the initial rescue effort and body retrieval difficult for ambulance crews.

The Queensland Ambulance Service said two paramedic crews and a supervisor had assessed three people at the scene at ­England Creek Road.

All three had sustained critical injuries and could not be revived.

A QAS spokeswoman said no one had required transport to hospital and a supervisor would remain at the crash scene on Monday night to ensure the scene ­remained safe for police and the ATSB, who were continuing the investigations.

The ATSB said the Cessna crashed into rough terrain near Lake Wivenhoe.

A spokesperson for the agency said: “The ATSB expects to deploy a team of transport safety investigators from its Brisbane office, with ­expertise in engineering, aircraft operations and maintenance, to the accident site on Tuesday.”