Two men killed in horror light plane crash at Jacobs Well, Queensland

Two long-time friends have been killed in a fiery light plane crash on the Gold Coast.

Greg Ackman, 73, was on-board a single-engine light aircraft with his friend when they crashed into an airfield shortly after take-off near Gross Rd in Jacobs Well just before 6am on Tuesday.

Gold Coast Police District Superintendent Brett Jackson said the crash was so significant that both men were “unable to survive”.

Mr Ackman has been remembered as a great advocate for general aviation, the Courier Mail reports.

Former Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association chief executive Benjamin Morgan spoke highly of his friend, describing him as someone who “very much enjoyed a laugh … he enjoyed life … he enjoyed his aviation”.

His passenger is believed to be a man from Sydney, though police are awaiting confirmation his next-of-kin have been notified before releasing further details.

“We’ve lost two great aviators today, great mates. Greg and his passenger were actually known to each other for many, many, many years, and had been lifelong friends,” Mr Morgan said.

“He (Mr Ackman) not only was actively involved in flying in aviation, he’d been actively involved in Aviation Heritage Preservation.

“He had been involved in donating a number of key aircraft to aviation museums and facilities around the country. He was someone who believed in general aviation and took part in aviation in every way that he could.”

Superintendent Jackson said the crash happened at a private airstrip where aircraft owners could rent hangars and take private flights.

“We are aware the planned flight was to a small town just outside of Tamworth, so we have that information,” he said.

“As to the intention behind the trip, I don’t actually have that information – that will form part of the investigation.”

CCTV from the airstrip will form part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.

Firefighters remain at the scene battling a large grassfire caused by the crash, Queensland Rural Fire Service (QRFS) Superintendent Robert Bloss said.

Mr Bloss said 18 emergency crews and about 50 personnel were on site fighting the blaze, including sugar cane properties which have caught alight.

“It is a tricky fire where it is, it is located in a hard area,” he said.

“We’ve done a quick 360 and … it is a multi-agency incident here and we’re all working together to extinguish the fire and obviously to get answers for the families.”

Crews struggled to access the scene due to very dense bushland and farm land.

“Conditions are not great for suppressing fire today, and we’re seeing that in the erratic fire behaviour over the last couple of hours,” QRFS Superintendent Joel Gordon said.

Mr Gordon said the south easterly winds blowing at around 30km/h are causing authorities to see “flame heights in excess of five and six metres”.

The fire has spread across 60 hectares, and is making its way towards Norwell Road with crews requesting additional air support.