Five Killed In Queensland Skydiving Plane Crash

Five people have died after a plane crashed during a skydiving trip at an airfield in Queensland, Australia.

The aircraft, a Cessna 206, took off before veering left, hitting the ground and bursting into flames shortly after take-off at Caboolture Airport, 31 miles (50 kilometres) north of Brisbane. The presence of high-octane fuel meant the fire took hold quickly, officials said.

A Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "We received a call from the airfield and sent three crews to a light plane that had crashed. The fire was extinguished in 10 minutes. Because it was a light plane, [the fire] was relatively easy to control," she said.

Queensland Police said: "It is believed that five people were on board and that all are deceased." Four men and one woman were killed – a male pilot, two skydiving instructors and two sky divers.

The flight is thought to have been operated by Adrenalin Skydivers Bribie, also known as Skydive Bribie Island.

One witness who works at the airport told Sky News: "On impact with the ground (the plane) immediately burst into flames and there were no survivors. This is the worst-ever fatality accident we've suffered (at Caboolture)."

The airport remains closed for an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Grahame Hill, director of aircraft operations for the Australian Parachute Federation, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the skydiving community was devastated by the crash.

"I've spoken to some people up there and they're just gutted; it's terrible." Hill said.

He added: "It's too early to tell what's happened, but obviously something has gone wrong with the plane because it crashed right after take-off. This isn't a skydiving accident, it's a plane accident; they were just on their way to do the skydiving."

He said the skydiving company, which he did not name, was a popular one and had never previously been involved in any incidents.