AAP
Five dead in plane crash
October 1, 2003
FIVE people have died in a light plane crash in north Queensland.
The twin-engine plane crashed in bushland 2km west of Mareeba airport, near Cairns, about 11.40am (AEST).
Three children and two adults were dead, paramedics at the scene confirmed.
It is uncertain whether they were from the same family.
A police spokewoman told NEWS.com.au that the plane crashed in light scrub and started a bush fire which fire fighters have extinguished.
She said it would take "some time" to retrieve the victims bodies "due to the state of the bodies" and that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau would then begin investigations.
She said it was not clear whether the plane crashed on take-off or landing.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) spokesman Peter Gibson said the plane was a twin-engine Piper Aztec registered interstate.
"The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be going to the scene to begin the investigation and CASA will be supplying all details of the aircraft and pilot," Mr Gibson said.
It was not known if the plane's emergency beacon had been activated.
The pilot had not registered a flight plan.
AAP
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