Man dead, another injured after light plane crash in Queensland

One man has died and another has been injured after a light plane crashed onto a beach at Ball Bay, near Mackay, earlier today.

The plane crashed onto the beach off Ward Esplanade, in the Mackay region, just after 8am.

The pilot was attempting an emergency landing after the plane's engine failed, crashing into the sand 30 minutes after takeoff.

READ MORE: FDA in USA authorises first pill to treat COVID-19

A rescue helicopter, police and emergency services attended the scene, where the plane's passenger, an 83-year-old Kuttabul man was confirmed to have died.

The pilot, a 65-year-old Haliday Bay man, was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital, and treated for a head injury.

He is in a stable condition.

READ MORE: Booster shots to be brought forward to four months

Ball Bay resident Warren Wright discovered the plane.

"I'm just thinking oh no," Mr Wright said.

"When I came up here when I was talking to one of the fellas, he said that his granddad just died in the plane.

"Apparently he was going for a joyride. Just devastating for the locals here.

"It's gonna be sad for a couple of days, especially tomorrow for the families of the deceased."

READ MORE: UK records 100,000 COVID-19 cases in one day for the first time

The Forensic Crash Unit will assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with investigations.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward.