A light aircraft struck a tree moments after take-off before it crashed into crocodile-infested floodwaters, killing a young charter pilot.
Thomas Niit, 32, was the sole occupant on board when his Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft crashed during a thunderstorm less than one kilometre from Normanton Airport in Far North Queensland on February 6.
It took emergency crews two days to reach the difficult terrain and retrieve the Cairns pilot's body during a treacherous rescue mission due to flooding in the region.
The crash site was in a croc-infested marsh area which was knee-deep in water.
A preliminary report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Thursday detailed Mr Niit's final moments.
On the day of the tragedy, Mr Niit had flown to Normanton from Cairns to transport four passengers, believed to be telecommunication workers, 323km west to Doomadgee.
He returned the passengers to Normanton about four hours later.
Mr Niit then prepared for the 700km flight back to Cairns and the aircraft departed shortly after 7.45pm.
The plane climbed to a maximum of 45.72m (150 feet) before it descended and hit the ground.
'Examination of the accident site indicated the aircraft hit a tree about 360m from the end of the runway, which was about 10m before it broadcast its last ADS-B position,' ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
'Evidence indicates the aircraft then impacted the ground in a wings-level attitude and slid beneath powerlines, then commenced a gradual yaw to the right, impacting trees, and breaking up in the process, before coming to rest in floodwaters about 580m beyond the runway's end.'
A photo from the crash scene showed the strewn wreckage in several parts.
To date, investigators have examined the accident site and wreckage, conducted interviews, and gathered available flight data.
The preliminary report also included a summary of weather conditions at the airport and in the surrounding area at the time of the crash.
A final report containing detailed analysis and findings will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
'Investigators will also conduct further interviews, and analyse witness videos, photographs and airport data, along with all relevant operational information,' Mr Mitchell said.
Cairns pilot Thomas Niit (left) played for the Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs AFL club
It took emergency crews two days to access the crash scene
'As the investigation progresses, it will include an assessment of data from air traffic control, the Bureau of Meteorology, and equipment recovered from the aircraft.
'Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will notify relevant parties immediately, so timely safety action can be taken.'
Mr Niit had relocated to Cairns from Melbourne with his partner Naomi not long before the tragedy.
They were both active members of the Cairns sporting community and played for the Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs AFL club.