What happened
On the evening of the accident, a Beech E90, registration VH-LFH, was operating an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight under single-pilot operations. The flight originated in Cairns, with the pilot-in-command transporting six passengers. After an unremarkable leg from Cairns, the aircraft arrived at Wondai at 2142 hours EST. Following the arrival, one passenger disembarked, and the aircraft was refueled with 800 litres of aviation turbine fuel.
At 2243 hours EST, the pilot notified Brisbane Flight Service that the aircraft was taxiing for Runway 36. An airways clearance was received and acknowledged at 2245 hours. The final radio communication occurred at 2248 hours, when the pilot confirmed the aircraft was airborne. Shortly after departure, witnesses heard the sound of an impact.
The aircraft struck a row of small trees located approximately 600 metres from the runway end, slightly to the left of the extended centerline. At the moment of this contact, the aircraft was in a shallow descent and maintaining a wings-level attitude. Approximately 48 metres after hitting the small trees, the Beech E90 struck the ground and began to disintegrate. The wreckage then collided with several large trees and ignited, eventually coming to a stop 90 metres further along the path. The accident resulted in five fatalities and one serious injury.