Famous pilot hurt in fatal Gold Coast plane crash

A famous pilot has been hurt and a passenger killed in a plane crash in Australia's Gold Coast.

The pilot involved in the crash was Ryan Campbell, who once held the record for the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world.


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The 21-year-old was flying a Tiger Moth aircraft when it crashed in bushland on Monday morning.

The crash claimed the life of 58-year-old passenger Gary Turnbull.

Mr Campbell, who is conscious but has serious injuries, has been working for Tiger Moth Joy Rides for less than a month as operations manager, reports the Gold Coast Bulletin.

It is believed that the plane flight was a Christmas present to Mr Turnbull from his daughters, one of whom was watching from the Tiger Moth hangar when the aircraft crashed.

According to the Brisbane Times, Senior Sergeant Greg Brakes said the plane was believed to have crashed shortly after it took off from an airstrip at Norwell, near Pimpama on the Gold Coast just before 9.30am.

He added: "Police, fire officers and [Queensland Ambulance Service] attended and located one male person deceased in the plane, and an injured person."

It is believed Mr Campbell called emergency services as soon as he realised the plane was in trouble.

Mr Campbell made headlines in 2014 when he became the youngest pilot ever to fly solo around the world, and was also the first teenager to complete the feat.

He did it in 70 days, making 34 stops in 15 countries, with 200 hours in the air.

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