Fifteen feared dead in Queensland plane crash

A plane carrying 15 people has crashed in far north Queensland.

Police have confirmed wreckage of the plane was found just before 7pm NZT, about 9km northwest of Iron Range airport on the Cape York Peninsula.

The plane was burnt out and they were trying to ascertain if there were any survivors.

It has been confirmed that there were 13 passengers and two crew on board.

The plane was travelling from Bamaga, near the tip of the Cape York Peninsula, but failed to arrive at Lockhart River around 1pm today.

A team of Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators were on their way to Cairns tonight and would reach the crash scene tomorrow morning.

"As far as our investigation is concerned we may be able to give a statement tomorrow afternoon,'' an ATSB spokesman said.

The spokesman said if the aircraft had a blackbox recorder it would need to be taken to Canberra for analysis which could take some time.

Peter Gibson, of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa) said those on board the plane were probably from the local community as it was not a tourist area.

He told the Nine network there was not much hope of anyone surviving.

Mr Gibson said the plane had been flying in rain, low cloud and 20 knot winds.

He said it had crashed into the western side of a hill in rugged terrain, which would prove difficult ``get in and get people out''.

Mr Gibson told NZPA it was unknown if there were any New Zealanders onboard.

He said the identities of the passengers and crew would probably be released by police tomorrow.

- AAP