RESPECTED PILOT DIES IN CRASH
EX-VICE President of the Gold Coast Sports Flying Club Charles Raymond Morgan was killed in an ultralight aircraft crash in Laidley last week.
Mr Morgan died last Wednesday afternoon when his home-made plane crashed into a paddock on Old Laidley-Forest Hill Rd.
The “well respected” pilot was a close friend of Southport pilot Doug Braunds, who died in a plane crash in June last year.
At the time Mr Morgan described Mr Braunds as a very careful flyer and said it was “out of character for him to have crashed his plane like that”.
“He often gave free plane rides on club open days,” Mr Morgan said.
Mr Morgan’s Coomera family said that he was an experienced pilot, very meticulous with his maintenance and was wellrespected in recreational aviation circles.
The “much-loved grandfather” was a member of the Lions Club for over 20 years and spent time as a volunteer fire ant ranger as well as serving as an Acting Sergeant in the Army Reserves.
Acting Inspector Regan Draheim said investigations into the cause of the crash were ongoing.
“Police and Recreational Aviation Australia have been conducting an investigation and there are no conclusive findings at this time,” he said. “We will be working together to determine an outcome as to the cause of the crash.”
A funeral service will be held for Mr Morgan at the Cannon Hill Catholic Church on Tuesday at 12pm.