Ian Campbell’s wife speaks out about an activity that became an important part of their married life, making the loss of Ian and his daughter even more heartbreaking
An experienced pilot who was killed alongside his daughter in a light plane crash south of Brisbane spoke of his love for flying in an interview published weeks before his death.
Fourth-generation dairy farmer and Barambah Organics founder Ian Campbell, 56, and daughter Hannah Campbell, 23, died after the six-seater Beechcraft Bonanza they were in crashed into a field Musch Road in Stockleigh, just minutes after takeoff.
Ian Campbell, a successul agribusinessman and the founder of Barambah Organics, has died in a plane crash. Instagram
The cause of the crash is unknown.
A high-profile and successful agribusinessman, Ian founded the Australian organic dairy brand Barambah Organics with his wife Jane in 2002 before selling a significant stake to private equity in 2020.
Ian was an experienced pilot and competed in the Outback Air Race 2025, raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
He and Jane spoke about their 27-year love affair aviation in an interview published in local newspaper the Goondiwindi Argus in July.
The couple said they bonded over flying and completed their pilot training together in 1999 on their honeymoon.
Ian Campbell and his wife shared a passion for flying. Instagram
“It’s just really exciting getting up in the air, even if you’re just checking paddocks,” Jane said in the interview.
“We love seeing how different the country looks from above, from Beardmore Dam to the Dumaresq and Maranoa rivers.
“We’re probably adrenaline junkies, flying has been a big part of our married life from the very beginning.”
The couple also spoke about their fundraising support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), which was sparked after Ian was injured in a farm accident in 2019.
The couple also owned Manana Pastoral, which produces extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed beef and lamb near Goondiwindi on the NSW border with Queensland.
They were both passionate about sustainable farming and had a goal of making Manana Pastoral carbon neutral.
The family also has farms in St George in south-west Queensland and Raleigh on the NSW Mid North Coast, which he would regularly fly between.
Hannah Campbell, the daughter of Ian Campbell, also died in the crash. Instagram
Both Ian and Hannah had recently been involved in Trek4RFDS, trekking the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, also to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“We loved being a part of Trek4RFDS, as the trail reminded us daily, of what really matters in life,” a post to Instagram reads.
“And of course, the selfless and heroic sacrifices that were made during WWII.”
The charity paid tribute to the family in a statement.
Hannah Campbell. Instagram
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“Ian’s spirit was one of warmth, generosity and genuine care for others – for the regional, rural and remote communities the RFDS serves, and for the people fortunate enough to know him,” the statement read.
“Hannah shared that same spirit … their contribution to the RFDS and to regional Queenslanders shall not be forgotten.”
The plane crashed into a paddock along Musch Road in Stockleigh, 9News
Goondiwindi Mayor Lawrence Springborg described Ian as “extraordinarily generous”.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” Springborg said.
“Two remarkable people who’ve been taken virtually in their prime of life with so much more to give.”
Police on Monday confirmed a 56-year-old man and 23-year-old woman from Ascot in Brisbane’s inner north-east had died in the crash, which started a grassfire attended by eight fire crews.
Investigators at the scene on Monday. 9News
“Tragically when we attended, we located two deceased persons within that aircraft,” Chief Superintendent Mel Adams said.
“It was quite a confronting scene for our first responders.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the cause of the crash.
SOURCE: 9 NEWS
https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/qld/plane-crash-logan-ian-campbell-businessman-and-daughter-killed-in-light-plane-crash-south-of-brisbane-20260908-p60vd5.html
