Air crash investigators probe why plane with experienced pilots crashed on Sunshine Coast
One of the victims of a light plane crash in the Sunshine Coast hinterland on Wednesday has been identified as experienced pilot Rory Blanning.
Mr Blanning, 30, was one of the founders of Max Aviation in Caboolture, which trained pilots in aerobatics.
Alarms were raised yesterday afternoon after the Cessna 150 failed to return to Sunshine Coast Airport at its scheduled time earlier that day.
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One of the victims of a Cessna joyflight that crashed in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland has been identified as 30-year-old Rory Blanning. 9News
Alarms were raised yesterday afternoon after the Cessna 150 failed to return to Sunshine Coast Airport at its scheduled time earlier that day. 9News
The plane took off from Sunshine Coast Airport at 11.03am and headed south-west across the Sunshine Coast towards Maleny before crashing after just 18 minutes in the air.
Officers were able to locate the crashed Cessna 150 on private property just off Commissioners Flat Road at Peachester just before 9pm last night.
Mr Blanning, 30, was one of the founders of Max Aviation in Caboolture, which trained pilots in aerobatics. 9News
The bodies of Mr Blanning and a 46-year-old Sunshine Coast man, who is yet to be identified, were found inside the wreckage.
Police said the operation to find the wreck and retrieve the bodies was difficult due to thick bushland at the crash site.
Officers were able to locate the crashed Cessna 150 on private property just off Commissioners Flat Road at Peachester just before 9pm last night. Nine
Senior Sergeant Brett Young said the operation to retrieve the men would be a "big job" due to the thick bushland location of the wreckage. Nine
"Our police were present at the scene and with the help of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services the bodies were retrieved and taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital," Inspector Jason Overland said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is asking anyone who saw the Cessna in flight to contact them as they investigate why the plane crashed.
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