Human remains have been found at the site of a light plane crash in north Queensland bushland.
Key points:
- Alwyn Rogash, 73, and his wife Jenny Rogash, 75, are presumed dead after a plane crash
- Emergency crews have now been able to retrieve their bodies
- A second expedition to the mountainous crash site is expected in coming weeks
Alwyn and Jenny Rogash took off in their SOCATA 5B20 Trinidad plane from Townsville on Saturday, October 28.
The alarm was raised when the pair never arrived at the Palymra Airstrip, west of Mackay.
A rescue helicopter located the wreckage in dense and mountainous terrain in Finch Hatton several hours later.
Investigators said the crash was unsurvivable.
Crews, including a disaster victim identification specialist team, have been trying to access the site for several weeks.
A police spokesman said over the past few days, emergency crews have been able to reach the site and retrieve their bodies.
"An initial site examination was conducted … and attending police were able to recover human remains from the site," he said.
He said crews would conduct a second expedition to the site within the next two weeks for additional investigations.
The remains will be forensically examined but are believed to be those of Mr and Mrs Rogash.
'Enthusiastic aviators'
Aviator Matthew Kucks from Mackay had known the couple since the early 2000s.
Mr Kucks said both Mr and Mrs Rogash had been active pilots over the years and the tragedy had rocked the local aviation community.
"They were active, enthusiastic aviators and we'll miss their comradeship and enthusiasm," he said.
"We're just in shock really, shocked by the circumstances that it happened in.
"You never expect someone to fly away and never come back."