Sydney - Eight people are feared dead after a light aircraft chartered by one of Australia's largest gold producers crashed in the Queensland outback, emergency services said early this morning.
The twin-engined aircraft is believed to have depressurised during a chartered flight in Western Australia and crashed after flying 2,840 km (1,775 miles) across the country on automatic pilot.
An Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman said there was no immediate sign of any survivors. A search and rescue operation is under way.