Two men killed in 'tragic' light plane crash on Sunshine Coast hinterland

Police investigate the scene of a plane crash that killed two men on Queensland's Sunshine Coast

Two men have been killed in a light plane crash on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

A search for the missing aircraft began around 5:30pm yesterday after it failed to return to the Sunshine Coast Airport.

The wreckage was discovered three hours later in thick bushland off Commissioners Flat Road at Peachester in the Sunshine Coast hinterland by Maroochydore's LifeFlight helicopter.

The bodies of two men, a pilot and instructor from Caboolture aged 30 and a flight enthusiast aged 46, were found onboard.

Police said the pair were flying a Cessna 150 Aerobat, which they had hired.

The wreckage was located in thick bushland three hours after the search began. (ABC News)

'A tragic outcome'

Inspector Jason Overland said the alarm was first raised about 3:00pm, when the men failed to return to the airport.

He said there was no indication a mayday call had been made.

Investigations are underway at the scene of the crash. (ABC News: Jacqueline Street)

"It's a tragic outcome," Inspector Overland said.

"It's obviously a very sad time for everyone here on the Sunshine Coast.

"We were alerted pretty quickly, put a range of strategies in place to try and identify where they were.

"The search quickly narrowed into a smaller area up behind Peachester as a consequence of phone triangulation [signals]."

Recovering the plane will be a difficult task, authorities say. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)

In a statement, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said four investigators had been sent to the site where they will conduct a thorough investigation of the scene.

The aircraft will then be removed from the area for further examination.

There were two men onboard the aircraft when it crashed. (Supplied)

"A search confirmed the aircraft had collided with terrain in bushland at Cedarton," the ATSB statement said.

"The two pilots on board were fatally injured and the aircraft destroyed."

Australian Transport Safety Bureau officers are investigating at the scene of the crash. (ABC News: Amy Sheeran)

Gordon Page, the owner of the cattle property where the plane crashed, said he was confused to find aircraft searching over his home last name.

"I came home from playing golf and there was helicopters flying over for a few hours," Mr Page said.

"[At] 10 o'clock a neighbour rang up and said it was in my paddock."

The plane crashed on Gordon Page's property. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)

He said recovering the plane would be a difficult task as the terrain was "pretty boggy".

The ATSB asked anyone who saw the aircraft or has CCTV footage to contact them.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Police are helping to investigate the crash. (ABC News: Amy Sheehan)