A PILOT has died after a light plane crash in Queensland.
The "kit-built" aircraft crashed just after midday at Palgrave, southwest of Warwick in the Southern Downs region and burst into flames, sparking a grass fire.
The pilot, who was the only person on board the plane, died at the scene.
A local farmer was the first to spot the inferno and called emergency services while trying to extinguish the fire himself.
The farmer created a fire break at the property to help contain the blaze until fire crews arrived and were able to take over.
Rescue teams initially struggled to get past the flames to the wreckage.
Darling Downs police district officer Acting Inspector Paula Smithard said: "I can confirm that around 12.15pm today a transmission was received that a light plane was experiencing trouble."
A police spokesperson said initial investigations indicated the pilot "did not survive the crash" and that no one else was on board the plane.
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesperson said the plane was a "kit-built aircraft" registered with Recreation Aviation Australia, the ABC reports.
Aerial images show the plane was completely destroyed.
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Police officers from the Forensic Crash Unit were inspecting the wreckage on Thursday afternoon.
Investigators and Recreational Aviation Australia officials will work together to determine the cause of the crash.
This is a developing story…
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