The wreckage of a single-engine plane flown by experienced Queensland pilot Rob Pavan has been found close to where it took off on the weekend, ending a three-day search.
Mr Pavan left Gympie on Saturday morning on the way to a friend's 60th birthday party at Biloela but it appears he only made it 39km north before crashing into a mountain plateau at great speed.
The scattered debris of his light aircraft Jabiru was discovered by a farmer on his quad bike just before noon on Monday.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority confirmed the wreckage as Mr Pavan's aircraft later on Monday afternoon after a police 4WD vehicle was able to access the area.
"The aircraft appears to have impacted the ground at high speed," AMSA said in statement.
An AMSA spokesperson said Mr Pavan did not survive the crash.
Poor weather had hampered search and rescue crews when they resumed their efforts on Monday morning, with a number of helicopters abandoning the search for some time because of heavy cloud and rain.
Mr Pavan had been known to be an avid recreational pilot who knew the area in Queensland's Wide Bay region well.
Police and Recreational Aviation Australia will investigate the accident.
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