'A real character': Experienced pilot months from retirement before deadly crash

An experienced pilot was just months away from retirement when he died alongside two other men in a light plane crash near Brisbane.

Gary Liehm was flying near Lowood, west of Brisbane, on Monday with millionaire businessman Tom Strachan and his son Noah when the light aircraft plunged 2000 feet and crashed in remote bushland.

The 63-year-old man has been described as a "real character" as friends paid tribute at his business in Archerfield today, leaving flowers and a Great Northern beer beside his car.

READ MORE: Grace Tame goes to police after 'threats by her abuser'

"He was one of our customers," friend Paul Koutsoukos told 9News.

"He was a real character.

"He was ready to hang up his boots. He was only months away from retiring and that's what probably hit home the hardest."

Koutsoukos said Liehm was modest despite his high achievements.

"We heard a lot of stories, never from him.

"He never big noted himself but a lot of people who knew him said, 'oh yeah Gary, he's a good flyer'."

Loved ones are also mourning the deaths of the two Strachan men.

Tom Strachan was described as a "vibrant force destined to mark a big mark on the world around him".

"A huge loss, losing not only Tom but his son Noah with so much of his life ahead of him," one friend wrote.

Brisbane Boys Grammar, where Noah and Tom went to school also shared condolences.

"Our thoughts are with the Strahan family," acting headmaster David Carroll said in a statement.

"We will support them in any way possible."

Crash investigation underway

Forensic investigators, the state coroner, and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are working to identify the cause of the crash.

The plane was tracked leaving Roma in western Queensland yesterday at 7.20am, stopping in Dalby around 9am, before taking off again 15 minutes later.

The plane then lost connection near Ipswich around 10am before plunging to the ground yesterday afternoon.

READ MORE: 'Zombie ice' from Greenland will raise sea level 27 centimetres

READ MORE: NZ man who died day after car crash had drunk antifreeze

"That aircraft didn't arrive and a search commenced utilising Polair and rescue," Inspector Michael Thiesfield from Queensland Police said.

The wreckage became trapped in bushland at the remote site, forcing emergency services to reach the crash by foot.

"Our plan for today is we will continue to work our way through the scene," Inspector Thiesfield from Queensland Police said.

"It's just too early in the investigation to say what exactly caused the accident.

"At this stage, our primary focus is, obviously with respect, to have removal of the persons that were on that aircraft and then securing the scene so we can get an accurate picture of what happened with assistance from the ATSB.

"It would be traumatic for anyone who lost a loved one and that is why police and the state coroner is trying to establish what happened and the safe retrieval of those bodies."