A preliminary report into a fatal plane crash has revealed that the aircraft struggled to start before its doomed flight, which killed Queensland businessman Ian Campbell and his daughter Hannah. The Beechcraft A36 Bonanza aircraft crashed into a paddock near Logan on September 7, eight minutes after departing from Brisbane's Archerfield Airport, sparking a significant fire.
Witnesses reported seeing thick smoke coming from the plane shortly after takeoff and observed it flying low. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), CCTV footage from Archerfield Airport showed that Mr. Campbell had difficulty starting the engine. An engineer working nearby assisted in starting the engine with a battery cart.
During the flight, the aircraft's engine was heard sputtering, and flight data indicated it descended steadily from an altitude of 1,100 feet to 800 feet within the first four minutes. The last recorded data point placed the aircraft at 284 feet near the accident site.
Investigators examined the wreckage and found damage to the propeller consistent with a low engine power setting at impact. The landing gear was also found to have been extended. The ATSB will continue its investigation by analyzing flight tracking data, maintenance records, and pilot documentation.
Mr. Campbell, who owned Barambah Organics, appeared healthy on the morning of the flight, and the aircraft had been refueled with full tanks. The plane, built in 1979, was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder. The ATSB will review available audio recordings and post-mortem information as part of its ongoing analysis.
Ian Campbell and Hannah Campbell died at the scene. Friends and family have paid tribute to Hannah, describing her as a "beautiful young lady" with "radiating energy."
Ian Campbell had a shared love of flying with his wife, Jane, who had previously spoken about their passion for aviation. The couple learned to fly together in 1999, completing their pilot training as part of their honeymoon. The aircraft was rented from Telford Aviation, which had purchased it four years prior. The former owner stated that "no expense had been spared" on its renovation and upkeep.