Canaga plane crash: Pilot confirmed dead after crop duster plane crashes on Chinchilla-Wondai Rd property

A man in his 30s has died after a crop duster crashed on the western Darling Downs, with authorities investigating a possible bird strike as the cause.

The pilot of a plane that crashed on a property outside Chinchilla has been confirmed dead by police, who have now declared a crime scene at the site.

Police say the man, believed to be in his 30s, was flying a crop duster plane above a property on Chinchilla-Wondai Rd at Canaga when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and crashed at about 12.20pm Monday.

The pilot of a plane that crashed on a property outside Chinchilla on Monday has been confirmed dead by police. Photo: 9News

The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and died of his injuries at the scene.

A crime scene has been established at the crash site.

“The plane was located missing by the owner of the plane and a farmer has arrived on scene and found the pilot,” a QFES scene commander said.

“He’d been contracted to spray this paddock”

It is understood officials are investigating whether a bird strike could have been to blame for the fatal crash, with feathers reportedly found in the cockpit and dead birds seen nearby.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the pilot was spraying crops with herbicides at the time of the crash, with crews currently monitoring the area to ensure gas levels are safe.

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

Originally published as Canaga plane crash: Pilot confirmed dead after crop duster plane crashes on Chinchilla-Wondai Rd property