Two Pilots Killed in Separate Fatal Plane Crashes in Queensland, Colorado

Two separate fatal plane crashes involving experienced pilots have recently occurred. In Queensland, Australia, a twin turboprop Reims Cessna F406 owned by Aero Logistics crashed into a grass area near Oakey, killing the pilot and an external flight examiner on board; the crash caused a large fireball, and Aero Logistics has suspended all flight operations pending investigation. In Colorado, U.S., Alejandro Antunez and Lawrence Skinner, both from Fort Myers, Florida, died when their recently purchased Murphy Moose kit plane crashed less than a mile from Montrose Regional Airport during takeoff; the aircraft failed to gain altitude and speed before crashing and burning. Both men were highly qualified pilots: Antunez held commercial pilot privileges for single-engine sea planes, and Skinner was a commercial airline pilot and certified airplane mechanic with ratings for Boeing 757, 767, and DC-8 aircraft. The Murphy Moose was assembled from a kit originally built in 2008 and did not have current FAA registration; the flight was conducted under a Special Flight Permit. Both crashes are under active investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, FAA, and NTSB to determine causes and improve aviation safety.