TREACHEROUS conditions are hampering efforts to repatriate the bodies of five men who were killed in a light plane crash near Lockhardt River yesterday.
The light plane carrying five men crashed after making two attempted landings at the Lockhardt River airstrip in Far North Queensland during difficult weather conditions.
The plane was reported missing about 10am after it failed to arrive and a search and recovery effort commenced.
The plane was detected by rescue helicopter crews in sand dunes about 4km east of Lockhardt River airport about 1.20pm.
It has been confirmed that all five men were from Cairns.
This included the pilot, 38, and four QBulid workers aged 49, 57, 62 and 63.
Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said the tragedy had devastated the community.
"This is a devastating event for the QBuild family and the Queensland Government workforce," Mr de Brenni said.
"Five people went to work and they never came home - we all mourn the loss of our colleagues and friends.
"QBuild staff and tradies are always there when Queenslanders need them most and their dedication to serving our community will not be forgotten.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
Cape York Patrol Group Inspector Mark Henderson said the recovery effort would take some time.
"I expect that the recovery will take several days, it is a catastrophic scene and very difficult to reach," Insp Henderson said.
"We are challenged with the tides, which on high tide are up against the dunes, which are preventing access, and it is some five kilometres down from the Lockhardt River boat ramp which makes it very difficult.
"There is no other access to it by the ground other than our light boat during the high tide times.
"It is a difficult and challenging scene, the dunes back on to some harsh thickery and then on to a swamp, so it does prove very difficult.
"We will work throughout the day and into the weekend to try to bring closure to this for the families, we will do the best we can to bring that about as fast as we can."
Insp Henderson said investigations into what caused the crash were continuing.
"At the time of the incident it is being reported the skies were very overcast with considerable low clouds, there'd been drizzling rain at the time, and it was challenging conditions by all accounts
"The impact was quite catastrophic, rescuers were lowered to the ground from the rescue helicopter however all persons were found to be deceased."
Insp Henderson said officers from the disaster victim identification unit and forensic crash unit were on the scene.
He said Australian Transport Safety Bureau staff were due at the site tomorrow.
"The ATSB are working with us and we are sharing information with them and their investigation will kick off tomorrow when they arrive on scene.
"The remainder of the investigation will be conducted by the ATSB who will issue preliminary findings in due course.
"I expect police will remain in Lockhardt River at the scene for a number of days."
