A MAN and woman have died after two light planes collided mid-air above an airport in Australia this morning.
The pair, both in their 60s, died at the scene near Brisbane at around 10.30am local time.
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Footage shows the horror wreckage of both planes lying smashed into pieces on the runway.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief, Angus Mitchell, said the light aircrafts involved were a Jabiru J430 and a Piper Pawnee.
The J430 was taking off from one runway just as the Pawnee was landing on a crossing runway at Caboolture Airfield, he said.
“Tragically, both occupants of the Jabiru were fatally injured. The Pawnee pilot was uninjured.”
The other pilot, aged around 70, is now assisting police in the investigation.
Matt Davis, senior operations supervisor from Queensland’s ambulance service, described the scene as “extremely traumatic” for paramedics.
“Any incident involving the loss of life, particularly under these circumstances, is extremely difficult and hard, obviously for the first responders and most importantly for the family,” he told 9News.
“Our hearts certainly go out to [their] family.”
Superintendent Paul Ready said it was “quite lucky” that the other pilot had survived “when you look at the damage on the ground”.
“It occurred low to the ground at the eastern end of the airfield,” he added.
The police officer has asked any witnesses to come forward.
“There will be people who may well have seen some of the aircraft and their movements prior to the collision,” Ready said.
The airfield will remain closed while the Australian Transport Safety Bureau carry out an investigation into the crash.
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