The pilot and passenger of Monday morning’s fiery light aircraft crash in Chambers Flat, Queensland have been identified as dairy company Barambah Organics founder Ian Campbell and his daughter Hannah Campbell.
The 56-year-old farmer and his 23-year-old daughter were declared dead at the scene and were the only occupants of the aircraft.
Emergency services responded to the light plane crash in the roadside paddock of a rural property on Musch Road at 11.09am local time.
Flight tracking details show the 1979 Beech A36 Bonanza departing Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport at 10.58am and records its last position veering off-course at 11.06am.
A grass fire ignited at the crash site and the aircraft was engulfed in flames when police arrived before fire services were able to gain control of the blaze.
Queensland Ambulance Services quickly confirmed the worst when they announced their response to the scene did not include treatment of any patients.
The Campbell family are fourth-generation farmers, having been deeply engrained in the South Burnett region for more than 100 years.
Ian and his wife Jane founded local dairy company Barambah Organics, which they still partially own, and recently established Mañana Pastoral, an olive oil and grass-fed lamb and beef business.
Ian Campbell is a well-known pilot and Royal Flying Doctor Service advocate, having held his pilot license since 1999.
In the weeks leading up to their tragic deaths, the Campbell family was involved with a RFDS fundraiser at Archerfield Airport before walking the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea to raise funds for the lifesaving rural service.
Logan District Officer Chief Superintendent Mel Adams has said authorities still have limited information on the cause of the crash.
“As to what happened whilst that aircraft was in the air, we have no information at this time,” Chief Superintendent Adams said.
Police have urged witnesses to come forward with witness testimony, video or dashcam footage of the incident in order to assist with The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s investigation.
Local resident Eldjie Cojocaru told 7NEWS the plane was noticeably struggling in the lead up to the crash.
“It was flying directly over our house, quite low, and it was spluttering so it was clear that there was some engine issues,” the witness said.
“I saw it bank and it went down, and then I heard a … bang.”
“It was a very confronting scene,” Chief Superintendent Adams said.
“Our care at the moment is to our emergency service responders, and of course the family.”
A preliminary report detailing the factual circumstances surrounding the crash is not expected for about eight weeks.
An aircraft registration and ABN search reveals the 1979 Beech A36 Bonanza has been registered to Telford Aviation since 2022 as a private charter plane based out of Archerfield Airport.
Archerfield Airport refused to comment.
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