Police have confirmed two people have died in a light plane crash in Queensland.
The single-engine light aircraft was carrying two men when it crashed at Heck Field in Woongoolba, south of Brisbane, about 6am.
The crash occurred shortly after takeoff.
The pilot, 73-year-old Greg Ackmann from Beenleigh, had flown since he was a teenager.
He was flying with a friend from Sydney.
Multiple paramedic units were called to the airfield near Gross Road at 5.57 am.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation.
The aircraft was destroyed in fire sparked by the crash but investigators will examine the site and wreckage to gather evidence.
Gold Coast Police District Superintendent Brett Jackson said the crash was “so significant” the occupants were unable to survive.
“We are aware that the planned flight was to a small town just outside of Tamworth,” Jackson said.
“The initial information that we know is that the light aircraft has taken off from Hecks Airport and a crash occurred just after take-off.
“The scene has been made difficult to access just because of the conditions, the farmland, and there’s also a creek nearby.
“We have engaged the state emergency services just because of the terrain to gain access, and they have also brought assets in to be able to get across the waterways.
“It’s going to be a difficult investigation but again, first and foremost our condolences go out to the family of the people involved.
“Tragic circumstances and everyone here is doing their best to make the scene safe as quickly as possible and find out answers.”
Any aircraft components of interest that can be recovered will be taken to the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra for further examination.
Investigators will also interview any witnesses and collect flight tracking data, CCTV footage, pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.
A preliminary report into the accident is expected in about eight weeks.
Emergency services struggled to access the isolated scene about 30 minutes north of the Gold Coast.
Firefighters from rural and city fire crews were called to the scene to extinguish a grassfire caused by the crash.
Fire crews said the blaze had spread across about 60 hectares of sugar fields and bushland by 11am.
Hot and windy conditions also made it difficult for fire crews to contain the blaze, which produced flame heights in excess of five and six metres.
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