Coroner hands down findings into plane crash that killed experienced pilot Tom Grey

The 32-year-old regional Queenslander was the first person to die from a similar crash in the same aircraft since 2008, sparking a major investigation.

Mungindi pilot Tom Grey was killed in a horror plane crash outside of Chinchilla Picture: Facebook

A Queensland coroner has handed down her report into a freak crash that killed respected pilot Tom Grey.

The 32-year-old crop duster was working at Canaga near Chinchilla on September 19, 2022, when his plane, an Air Tractor AT-502B, was hit by a large bird that crashed through the cockpit window.

Mr Grey was about 2m above the ground, travelling at about 200km/h the bustard struck him, causing him to lose control and crash into the ground.

A co-worker raised the alarm about 12pm on September 19 after Mr Grey did not return from what was his third run of the day.

The manager of a neighbouring farm was notified as he was closest to the paddock and arrived to find the wreck about 12.15pm.

Mr Grey was located deceased.

The coroner’s report found that there were clear signs of the bird strike at the crash site, which included dismembered bird parts scattered in the cockpit.

The report found that there was little that could be done to prevent a similar crash, other than strengthening the aircraft’s cockpit glass.

The crash caused an outpouring of grief.

Tom Grey was one of only two Air Tractor AT-502B pilots globally to die from bird strikes since 2008

Shortly after the crash, older sibling Will Grey said ‘Tommo’ was passionate about aircraft and flying.

“I was talking to Mum and we said, ‘at least he was doing something he loved’,” Will said in 2022.

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

The family was from the close-knit border town Mungindi, where Mr Grey was well known.

Mr Grey’s mother Virginia Grey said her son’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 after the crash.

In handing down her report Queensland Coroner Ainslie Kirkegaard said that while bird strikes were common, deaths or serious injuries arising from them were rare.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recorded 1300 bird strikes in 2022.

“Review of the ATSB occurrence database from 2000-2022 revealed 30 bird strike occurrences were reported during aerial spraying operations,” Ms Kirkegaard said.

“Of those, one resulted in minor injury, 20 resulted in minor damage and one resulted in substantial damage.

“As at June 2023, there was one other fatal bird strike related incident in Australia, involving a private helicopter flight.”

A review of international data found only two bird strikes on Air Tractor AT-502B that damaged the cockpit window during aerial spraying, in 2000 and 2017.

Prior to Mr Grey’s crash, the most recent fatal occurred in South Africa, in 2008.

The coroner’s report noted that the US-made Air Tractor AT-502B was one of the most popular aircraft used in aerial spraying operations, and that Mr Grey was regarded as a very experienced pilot and good operator with 3738 hours of flight experience.