Fatal light plane crash at Ball Bay Beach, QLD

Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have finalised a 14 month investigation into a fatal light plane crash at Ball Bay Beach on December 24, 2021.

Police will allege the passenger of the two seater plane, an 83-year-old man, was killed when the plane crashed on the beach.

The pilot, a 66-year-old Halliday Bay man, was airlifted to the Mackay Base Hospital and subsequently released.

Yesterday (February 28) detectives and CASA investigators executed a search warrant at a Halliday Bay Road, Halliday Bay residence.

A Halliday Bay man has been charged with one count each of manslaughter, fly aircraft without a licence, carry out maintenance and fly without satisfying safety requirements.

He is due to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court today (March 1).

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

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