A Victorian aviation company has confirmed one of its planes crashed while engaged in fire surveillance in remote northwest Queensland, killing three of its "dearly loved" staff. A member of the public raised the alarm about 2.30pm on Saturday, reporting the crash near a mine site northwest of McKinlay, near Cloncurry. A rescue helicopter crew spotted the wreckage and officers arrived on the scene about 5pm, confirming all three on board had died, police said.
" Queensland Fire and Emergency Services was providing "ongoing assistance" QFES said the aircraft had been engaged to conduct line scans and was travelling from Toowoomba to Mt Isa when it crashed. The aircraft was the same type as one that is used as the lead plane for the large aerial tanker , used to fight bushfires. "Both the LAT and the lead plane will be grounded until advised by authorities.