McKinlay plane crash: Three dead after light aircraft crash in ‘difficult terrain’ while assisting bushfire crisis near Cloncurry in outback Queensland

Three people have been killed after a light aircraft assisting firefighters battling intense bushfires crashed in ‘difficult terrain’ in the Australian outback.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash in McKinlay near the Eloise Copper Mine south of Cloncurry in north-west Queensland about 2.30pm.

The Rescue 400 helicopter located the ‘unsurvivable’ wreckage from the air while ground crews made their way to the site.

Police arrived on the scene around 5 p.m., where three people were located on board and confirmed dead.

It is believed the three victims are from Victoria as the plane was owned by a private company from Stawell.

Emergency services and mine rescue teams will remain on site on Saturday evening to recover the wreckage.

The plane left Toowoomba shortly before 11am and disappeared from radar within an hour of its expected arrival at Mount Isa at 3pm, according to flight tracking radar data.

The aircraft was contracted by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) to provide fire mapping support to the state’s ongoing bushfire crisis.

“It was called in by QFES to conduct line scans and was traveling from Toowoomba to Mt Isa when it crashed near Cloncurry,” a spokesperson said.

“The cause of the crash is currently unknown.”

The QFES extended its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time,” a spokesperson said.

“Side by side we have fought these wildfires and their loss is felt by all.”

The plane crashed in difficult terrain near the Eloise copper mine (photo)

Queensland Police’s forensic crash unit will investigate the crash and prepare a report for the coroner.

The ATSB will also launch a separate investigation into what went wrong.

A team of transportation safety investigators has been dispatched to the crash site.

“Over the coming days, investigators will be conducting a range of evidence collection activities on site, including mapping the site, examining wreckage and recovering aircraft parts for further investigation at the ATSB technical facilities in Canberra,” it said. an ATSB statement.

‘Investigators will also seek to interview any witnesses and involved parties and collect relevant recorded information, including flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance data, and weather information.

“The ATSB expects to issue a preliminary report in approximately six to eight weeks, detailing the factual information gathered during the initial phase of evidence collection.”