A nearly 50-year-old Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, retrofitted with luxury interior elements, crashed into a paddock near Logan, Queensland, on Monday, killing its pilot, 56-year-old Ian Campbell, and his 23-year-old daughter, Hannah.
The aircraft, built in 1979, was purchased by charter and rental firm Telford Aviation in 2022 for $350,000. The plane's previous owner, a retired airline pilot, advertised the aircraft in 2022 stating that "no expense had been spared" during its renovation, which included the installation of luxury, face-to-face lounge seating and tailored floor coverings.
Witnesses reported seeing thick smoke emanating from the aircraft's engine shortly after it took off from Archerfield Airport at 10:57 a.m. Monday. Flight data indicated that air traffic control experienced intermittent radio contact with the plane. The aircraft reached an altitude of 1,000 feet by 11:00 a.m. before descending rapidly over the next five minutes, crashing at 11:05 a.m. at Chambers Flat.
Ian Campbell, who owned Barambah Organics, was an experienced pilot with over 25 years of flying experience and had rented the plane from Telford Aviation. Public flight records do not specify the destination of the flight. It was also noted as the aircraft's first logged flight since July 31.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. Three ATSB investigators were on site examining the wreckage, checking flight control continuity, and inspecting the engine and propeller. Avionics equipment and GPS units were recovered for analysis. A preliminary report is expected in approximately eight weeks, with a final report potentially taking several months.
Investigators are focusing on the aircraft's service records and flight history. Witnesses described the plane's engine as sounding rough or sputtering before the crash.
