Tom Grey: Mungindi pilot identified as victim fatal plane crash victim

The devastated mother and brothers of a pilot who died in a crop duster crash on the Western Downs have spoken out about their grief at the sudden and tragic loss of the young man who always ‘lived life to the fullest’.

The mother and brothers of a pilot tragically killed after a crop duster crashed into a paddock on the western Darling Downs have spoken of their grief at the loss of their beloved brother, son and mate.

Tom Grey was flying a crop duster in Canaga on Monday afternoon when it lost altitude and crashed into the paddock.

Emergency crews rushed to the Chinchilla-Wondai Rd and T Akins Rd, property at 12.20pm but the 32-year-old sadly died at the scene.

Older sibling Will said the brother he knew as Tommo was a plane and helicopter pilot, and passionate about aircraft and flying.

“I was talking to Mum and we said, ‘At least he was doing something he loved’,” Will said.

Will, who is the eldest of three sons, said his little brother loved to laugh and was “very much a larrikin”.

“I know people say this all the time, but he really did live life to the fullest. He was full-throttle the whole time,” he said.

Mungindi pilot, Tom Grey identified after horror plane crash outside of Chinchilla Picture: Facebook

Will said his brother even jokingly dubbed himself, “the Mayor of Mungindi”.

“Everyone will have a story or two to tell you, he knew a lot of people,” he said.

“He went to Mungindi races last year, he was talking to these girls I work with, and obviously he’s an ag pilot but he told them he worked for council.

“I don’t know what drove him to do it, I think he was hoping they’d tell people that he worked for the council.

“He just liked to get a laugh out of people.”

Mungindi pilot, Tom Grey identified after horror plane crash outside of Chinchilla Picture: Facebook

Mum Virginia Grey spoke of the heart-wrenching moment she found out her youngest son was gone.

“It actually started as a good day, I had coffee with friends at work,” she said.

“The police came in at about 2pm and I just didn’t expect to be told what I was told.”

The mother of three said she was coping with the support of family members and friends rallied around her.

“We were sitting on the veranda today looking at photos and reminiscing about stories we can remember about him,” she said.

“He was just very caring, full of life, (had) friends everywhere, and loved his family. A beautiful kind of boy.”

Virginia said Tom’s next mission after achieving a helicopter, plane and mustering licence, was to “get a licence to fly a bigger helicopter.”

“It was his passion. I remember when he told me, ‘I want to learn to fly’, and he loved it,” she said.

Tom, Eddie and Will Grey in their childhood days. Picture: Facebook

Tom’s other older brother, Eddie said a one-year age difference meant they were best mates growing up.

“We did the same things, we had the same mates and we always caught up together,” he said.

Eddie said he and girlfriend Tegan Eberle were driving to Mungindi from the Sunshine Coast to be with family and reflected on the special time they spent with Tom.

“We caught up at a wedding two weeks ago and we did a hell of a lot of talking sh-t and talking a lot but about nothing in particular,” Eddie said.

“We were catching up and making jokes, making sure everyone was having a good time.”

Mungindi pilot Tom Grey was killed in a shocking crop duster crash outside Chinchilla on Monday. Picture: Facebook

Members of the Western Downs community also took to social media to share their grief at the loss of the young pilot.

“Too young, too soon, RIP, sending condolences and blessings to his friends and family,” Debra Green said.

“How sad on my trips into Dalby I have watched the crop dusters flying over paddocks. Prayers for his family,” Kay Balnaves wrote.

“Our deepest sympathy to all, very sad,” said Karen Bruggemann.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said Mr Grey, who worked at Precision Aerial for six years before making the move to Smart Air Services earlier this year, had herbicide on board at the time and was contracted to spray the paddock.

“The plane was reported missing by the owner of the plane and a farmer arrived on scene and found the pilot,” he said.

It is understood that officials are now investigating whether a bird strike was to blame for the fatal crash after feathers were found in the cockpit and dead birds were lying nearby.

The Forensic Crash Unit and Australian Transport Safety Bureau will jointly investigate the crash and prepare a report for the coroner.

Originally published as Tom Grey: Mungindi pilot identified as victim fatal plane crash victim