A tragic aviation accident near the Gold Coast has claimed two lives and sparked a substantial bushfire, with emergency services mounting a major response to contain the blaze and investigate the incident.
Fatal Crash at Private Airstrip
Two men, identified as a 73-year-old pilot from Beenleigh in Queensland and a male passenger believed to be from Sydney, lost their lives when their light plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Heck Field, a private airstrip located north of the Gold Coast. The accident occurred around 6am on Tuesday, with the wreckage catching fire immediately upon impact.
Superintendent Brett Jackson confirmed the severity of the crash, stating, "That crash has been so significant that both occupants were unable to survive." The single-engine aircraft was reportedly en route to a town near Tamworth in New South Wales, with no other individuals on board.
Bushfire Emergency Response
The impact ignited a large bushfire approximately 500 metres from the airstrip, visible as a substantial plume of smoke from kilometres away. Approximately fifty emergency services personnel, including police, ambulance, and fire crews, were deployed to the scene.
Access proved challenging due to the terrain, which includes farmland and a nearby creek, complicating rescue and firefighting efforts. Water bombers were called in to assist ground crews battling the blaze, which spread through nearby cane paddocks and vegetation.
State Emergency Service crews played a crucial role by ferrying resources, including forensic equipment, across the creek to the crash site, supporting the multi-agency operation.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have emphasised that it is too early to determine the cause of the crash, with a thorough investigation now commencing. The pilot's flight history and the intentions behind the planned journey to Tamworth will form key parts of the inquiry.
Superintendent Jackson noted, "We are aware the planned flight was to a small town just outside Tamworth, so we have that information. As to the intention behind the trip, I don't actually have that information; that will form part of the investigation."
The incident highlights the risks associated with regional aviation and the rapid escalation of emergencies in bushland areas, particularly during dry conditions that can fuel fires.
