The ATSB has published a preliminary report into its ongoing investigation of a Bonanza light aircraft’s collision with terrain at Stockleigh, south of Brisbane, on 7 September.
The report details that a pilot and a passenger were on board the aircraft when it took off from Archerfield Airport in Brisbane for a planned flight to St. George, in the Darling Downs region.
The accident occurred about 7 minutes after take-off, when the aircraft collided with terrain in sparsely populated open grass farmland in Stockleigh, about 20 km south of Archerfield.
Both occupants were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted CCTV footage from Archerfield showed, prior to the flight, the pilot had been unable to start the aircraft’s engine.
“It was reported that an engineer, working nearby, then assisted to start the engine with a battery cart,” Mr Mitchell said.
Witnesses then observed the aircraft flying low during the flight, and reported hearing the engine spluttering.
“Flight data showed the aircraft initially climbed to about 1,100 ft,” Mr Mitchell said.
“About 4 minutes into the flight it was recorded at 800 ft, before descending steadily over the next 3 minutes.”
The aircraft’s final data point was near the accident site, at an altitude of 284 ft, and with a groundspeed of 66 kt. Witnesses observed the aircraft dropping suddenly prior to the collision.
Onsite wreckage examination found damage to the propeller indicative of a low engine power setting at impact. The landing gear was also assessed to have been extended at impact.
“The report details evidence gathered in the early phases of the ATSB’s investigation to be further analysed as the investigation progresses,” Mr Mitchell explained.
“Investigators will also conduct a performance assessment of the flight tracking data, and review aircraft maintenance, pilot documentation and training records.”
Mr Mitchell said the ATSB would also further analyse available audio recordings of the flight, other recorded data, and available post-mortem information.
A final report with findings and the ATSB’s analysis to support them will then be published at the conclusion of the investigation.
“Should any critical safety issues be identified before then, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so timely safety action can be taken,” Mr Mitchell concluded.
Read the preliminary report: Collision with terrain involving Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, VH-MPT, at Stockleigh, Queensland, on 7 September 2026