Prominent agricultural leader Tom Strachan, his 20-year-old son Noah and pilot Gary Liehm were killed when their Cessna R182 Skylane crashed on August 29.

The trio were returning to Archerfield Airport from a property north-east of Roma when they crashed in a steep section of wooded, mountainous terrain within the D’Aguilar Range.

Weather reports suggest the route to Archerfield could have been affected by low cloud, rain and fog associated with poor visibility, an interim report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said.

Several witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying at low altitude, below the cloud.

The plane had refuelled at Dalby Airport before departing for Archerfield, and its flight path over the subsequent 55 minutes shows it passed over rising terrain, mountain ridges and a hill at altitudes as low as 200 feet above ground level.

Prior to the crash, the aircraft flew down a valley near Fernvale and  completed a 180 degree turn while climbing to 1,000 feet above ground.

It then descended to 600 feet before turning right, back towards the D’Aguilar Range.

It was during this turn the aircraft crashed, the report says.

An onsite examination of the wreckage indicates the engine was working at impact, and the landing gear and flaps were retracted.

There is no evidence of an in-flight break-up or pre existing defect with flight controls.

“The investigation is continuing and will include a further review and examination of pilot records and medical information, aircraft maintenance and flight records, operator procedures, meteorological data and recorded data,” ATSB’s Director of Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.