Police update: Aviation incident at Lockhart River

Five men have died following an aviation incident in Lockhart River this morning.

A twin piston-engined Cessna 404 Titan aircraft travelling from Cairns was reported missing at 11:30am after the aircraft failed to arrive at the Lockhart River Airstrip.

The Queensland Police Service and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) conducted a coordinated joint search for the missing aircraft.

At 1:20pm emergency services located the wreckage at Quintell Beach, approximately four nautical miles south-east of Lockhart River aerodrome.

During a search of the wreckage the bodies of the 39-year-old pilot and four male passengers

aged 63, 62, 57 and 49 were located. All five men are from the Cairns area.

Police will be assisting investigators from Australian Transport Safety Bureau who will examine the wreckage and site surroundings.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

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