Overview
- The Beechcraft A36 Bonanza departed Archerfield Airport on September 7 and crashed at Stockleigh about seven minutes later, killing Barambah Organics founder Ian Campbell and his daughter Hannah.
- CCTV and witness statements show several failed attempts to start the engine before takeoff and an engineer used a battery cart to jump‑start the aircraft prior to departure.
- Witnesses heard a ‘spluttering’ engine in flight and ATSB examination found propeller damage consistent with low engine power at impact and the landing gear extended.
- Onboard instruments that might have recorded flight and engine data were destroyed in the post‑impact fire, so investigators are continuing detailed analysis of maintenance records, refuelling, available audio and post‑mortem information.
- The crash has deeply affected the local community because of the Campbell family’s public role in agriculture and charity work, and the ATSB will publish a final report after further technical and forensic work is complete.