Key Takeaways
- A light plane crashed and caught fire at a private airfield south of Brisbane, killing the pilot and his passenger.
- The pilot, Greg Ackman, 73, had almost 50 years of flying experience and owned several aircraft.
- The plane was headed to a town near Tamworth in north-east NSW when it crashed shortly after take-off.
- The crash ignited a large blaze that took hours to control, with fire crews and SES personnel working together to contain the fire.
- The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with CCTV vision from the airstrip to be reviewed as part of the inquiry.
Introduction to the Incident
A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday morning when a light plane crashed and caught fire at a private airfield south of Brisbane, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and his passenger. The pilot, identified as Greg Ackman, 73, from Beenleigh, had almost 50 years of flying experience and was well-known in the aviation community. Ackman and his passenger, from Sydney, were pulled from the plane, but unfortunately, they did not survive the crash. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
The Crash and Emergency Response
The crash occurred at Heck Field, an airstrip within the Gold Coast Sport Flying Club at Jacobs Well, around 55 kilometers south of Brisbane. Emergency services, including ambulance, police, and fire crews, were quickly called to the scene, and a total of about 50 officers were involved in the response. The plane came to rest in bushland off the end of the runway, and a plume of smoke was seen rising from the aircraft. Cane fields and grasslands caught fire, and Ackman and his passenger were trapped in the cockpit. Fire crews fought the blaze alongside SES personnel, and the fire was eventually contained at 4:45 pm, about 14 hours after the crash.
Challenges in Containing the Fire
The fire was challenging to contain due to the wet and muddy terrain, as well as the presence of an estuary in the vicinity. Joel Gordon, assistant chief officer at the fire department, noted that some flames reached six meters, and conditions were not ideal for suppressing fires. The smoke from the fire affected people in the area, including schools, and a 100-meter-wide wall of fire burning to the north was inaccessible due to the wet terrain. The fire was fanned by winds up to 30km/h, making it even more difficult to control.
Investigation into the Crash
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and police are reviewing CCTV vision from the airstrip as part of the inquiry. The flight plan lodged with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority indicated that the plane was headed to a town near Tamworth in north-east NSW when it crashed shortly after take-off. Police Superintendent Brett Jackson said that the investigation would be thorough and that all factors would be considered. The Gold Coast Sport Flying Club, where the crash occurred, is a private airfield where people rent hangars and conduct private flights.
Background on the Pilot and the Airfield
Greg Ackman, the pilot, had a long and distinguished career in aviation, with almost 50 years of flying experience. He owned several aircraft, all with a distinctive red nose, and was well-respected in the aviation community. The Gold Coast Sport Flying Club, where the crash occurred, is located on Stapylton Jacobs Well Road, at the site of a former cane field that was converted to a runway in the late 1980s. The airfield has been a filming location for several movies, including San Andreas and Dora and the Lost City of Gold. The club is a popular spot for private flights and flying enthusiasts, and the crash has sent shockwaves through the community.
Conclusion
The crash of the light plane at the Gold Coast Sport Flying Club is a tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of two lives. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and it is hoped that the findings will provide some closure for the families of the victims. The incident highlights the risks and challenges associated with aviation and the importance of ensuring that all safety protocols are followed to minimize the risk of accidents. The community is in shock, and the incident will be remembered for a long time to come.