Aviation crash investigators are meticulously examining a charred and smouldering crash site near the Gold Coast following the tragic downing of a light aircraft, which claimed the lives of two men on board. The fatal incident has sent shockwaves through the local flying community and prompted a complex investigation by authorities.
Victims Identified as Experienced Aviation Enthusiasts
The two men who perished in the crash have been identified as Gold Coast pilot and father Greg Ackman, aged 73, and his long-term friend Tony Scopelliti, 72, from Sydney. Both were found deceased at the scene after the home-built aircraft crashed and erupted into flames. Greg Ackman was described by Rhys Owen, a member of the Gold Coast Sport Flying Club, as "an active and valued member of our club" with "an extensive history in aviation."
Greg Ackman had been involved in flying since his teenage years and was a familiar figure at local airfields. In a poignant reflection of his experience, Ackman authored an article in 2018 following a personal near-miss, titled "Complacency the Sleeping Dragon." In that piece, he wrote, "I lived only because I didn't panic," highlighting his deep understanding of aviation risks.
Technical Details and Previous Incident
Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell confirmed that the engine involved in Tuesday's crash was a turbocharged four-cylinder Subaru engine. Notably, the same model of aircraft was involved in a previous incident near Rockhampton in November. This particular aircraft is one of approximately fifty such models operating across Australia, raising questions about broader safety considerations.
Crash Site Challenges and Bushfire Complications
The deadly crash ignited a significant bushfire that continues to smoulder at the site, severely complicating investigation efforts. Authorities described the terrain as "very difficult terrain, very thick, heavy coastal grasses," creating challenging conditions for recovery teams. The fire has damaged crucial evidence, including potential onboard audio recordings, and the scene remains so complex that it can only be accessed by boat.
Commissioner Mitchell stated, "We will try and remove some of that wreckage once we've done the full mapping of the site." The large blaze sparked by the plane crash took firefighters several hours to bring under control, with huge flames threatening nearby cane fields during the containment efforts.
Investigation Focus and Flight Details
Investigators have already begun reviewing CCTV footage captured from the runway, which shows the plane taking off but only reaching an altitude of a couple of hundred metres. The two friends were embarking on a 600-kilometre journey to Barraba, near Tamworth, to inspect another aircraft when disaster struck. Commissioner Mitchell emphasised, "We're always very interested to understand what was planned versus what actually occurred," as authorities work to determine why the lengthy journey ended abruptly after less than one kilometre of flight.
The investigation continues as officials piece together the sequence of events that led to this tragic aviation accident, with the recovery of evidence hampered by both the remote location and fire damage.
