Queensland couple who died in plane crash in Clarke Ranges had dreams of buying another aircraft
Young newlyweds who died in a plane crash along with their unborn baby dreamed of buying another plane just months before they died.
Their white-and-green Piper Cherokee failed to arrive at Lakeside Airpark, in Prosperine, later that day, prompting a frantic search by authorities.
Mr Kuhrt had bought the beloved plane just six months before it crashed Monday afternoon in remote bushland in the Clarke Ranges.
Last November, he revealed his plans to buy another plane to “match” his Piper Cherokee with Facebook friends.
Rhiley Kuhrt and his partner Maree (pictured) set out from Natal Downs cattle station, south of Charters Towers in rural Queensland, on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Kuhrt posted a screenshot of a 1964 Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft with a multi-engine propeller he found online for $159,900 with the above caption
Mr. Kurht revealed his plans last November to buy another plane to “match” his Piper Cherokee with Facebook friends (pictured is the plane he hoped to buy one day)
Mr. Kuhrt posted a screenshot of a 1964 Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft with a multi-engine propeller advertised online for $159,900.
“I need to set goals in life and my next goal to add to the pendant with my cherokee 180 is a piper twin comanche that looks good next to my cherokee,” the post read.
A friend joked that the avid aviator should buy a plane that fits a car.
“Haha, when I get a few million together, I’ll buy a big army truck that can carry a lot of cars,” Mr. Kuhrt replied.
Photos and videos from the couple’s social media pages have revealed that Mr. Kuhrt had a passion for flying, while his wife was an avid horsewoman.
The couple married last October and shared several photos of them kissing on a hillside and astride horses in a spacious paddock.
“My complete happiness,” Ms. Kuhrt captioned the photos.
On her Facebook page, Ms. Kurht shared images from her wedding day last year
Ms Kuhrt was expecting a baby girl in June and is said to have been on a plane to attend a medical appointment at Prosperine Hospital.
Mr Kuhrt’s latest Facebook post was a video recording of one of his many flights over rural South West Queensland.
“Wick afternoon on the sorghum harvest and a little fun,” the message read.
In another video, Mr. Kuhrt is seen smiling and laughing for the camera before showing off a handful of dogs sitting patiently in the backseat.
The camera then pans down to the mountainous areas below the plane.
A missing pilot captured a video of himself taking a light plane for a joyride days before he and his pregnant wife (both pictured) died in a plane crash
Ms. Kuhrt shared romantic photos from the couple’s October 2022 wedding on Facebook
The couple were preparing for the arrival of their daughter after making the announcement to family and friends on Instagram in December.
They had celebrated a gender reveal party with loved ones in February.
Ms Kuhrt shared a video of her and her husband popping confetti to reveal the baby was a girl, while delighted friends and family looked on.
The mom-to-be posted her latest Instagram post on Saturday, sharing a selfie showing her growing baby bump.
Now 27 weeks! Getting closer to meeting the little girl,” she wrote.
Loved ones have expressed their shock and sadness at the news on social media.
“My heart breaks for you and your families, a few days ago we talked about how exciting it will be to raise our children together,” one person wrote.
“You really were a beautiful couple and deserved nothing but happiness, but that was suddenly taken away from you,” said another.
“You were soon to be parents. I will cherish the memories and moments we had together last year.”
The desperate search for the missing couple (pictured) was launched on Sunday by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
Two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft found no trace of the missing plane
Mr. Kuhrt is the son of a senior sergeant of the Mackay District Police Department and Chief Stockman and Pilot at Nerrigundah Station.
The desperate search for the missing couple was launched on Sunday by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
Two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft failed to find any trace of the missing plane on Monday night.
Bureau of Meteorology service forecaster Ricus Lombard said search teams had to contend with poor and wet conditions.
‘It’s getting less… (but the) potential with showers and storms. There’s also quite a bit of cloud cover,” Lombard said.
New details have since emerged about the couple revealing that Mr Kuhrt had a great passion for flying and regularly posted photos and videos on Facebook
“There’s a weak trough to the north, so there’s some rain and storm in the area.”
An AMSA spokesman said the search resumed the next day before the plane’s wreckage was found.
“At 10:15 am (AEST) this morning, a crash site was found in the Clarke Ranges west of Proserpine by a QG Air Rescue helicopter in Townsville,” he said.
An aircraft at the crash site has been confirmed to be the light aircraft reported missing after leaving Natal Downs Station in Queensland yesterday afternoon.
“Queensland Police is coordinating with the next of kin.”