Mother-of-five's chilling final Facebook post just hours before she was killed in a horrific Outback plane crash
- Pilot Peter Gesler, 59, and passenger Rachel Whitford, 48, died on Saturday
- Their Brumby 610 aircraft crashed north of Leigh Creek, in SA about 6.30pm
- Ms Whitford made a last minute decision to swap planes before fatal crash
- The duo from Queensland were on a sightseeing expedition across the outback
A mother-of-five and retired police officer posted a chilling last Facebook post just hours she was killed in a fatal crash.
Pilot and stud farm owner Peter Gesler, 59, and passenger Rachel Whitford, 48, died on Saturday when their Brumby 610 aircraft crashed north of Leigh Creek, in Outback South Australia.
The duo from Queensland were on one of two planes for a sightseeing expedition that had taken off from William Creek about 4pm, flown over Lake Eyre and returned to William Creek to refuel.
Stud farm owner Peter Gesler, 59, and Rachel Whitford (pictured), 48, died on Saturday when their Brumby 610 aircraft crashed north of Leigh Creek, in outback South Australia
The mother-of-five and retired police officer posted a chilling last Facebook post just hours she was killed in a fatal crash.
Mr Gesler, from from Donell Park, was a much respected Member of the National Cutting Horse Association, the NCHA Facebook page says
The aircraft was en route to Leigh Creek but crashed when approaching the airport, just before 6.30pm.
Ms Whitford posted to Facebook just after they had touched down in the remote town of Marree before they planned to take off for Leigh Creek.
'Grateful for another safe landing - and my cautious pilot!' she wrote to Facebook accompanied by two images.
'Refuelling Pete's plane - and so glad I have my peppermint oil and copaiba oil on hand to rub on — it has helped me through a severe bout of travel [sickness] when I could not keep anything down.'
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She also posted two images, one of which was a photo of the plane in which she died.
Ms Whitford made the tragic last minute decision to swap planes for the final leg of the expedition.
Her husband told Seven News the former police officer was travelling in the other plane before deciding to swap for the last leg.
He is reportedly 'inconsolable' the Brisbane woman won't return to raise their five children because of a tragic last minute decision.
Investigators from Recreational Aviation Australia were at the crash site, 560km north of Adelaide, on Monday.
The aircraft was en route to Leigh Creek but crashed when approaching the airport, just before 6.30pm
Ms Whitford's husband told Seven News the former police officer was travelling in the other plane before deciding to swap for the last leg. He is reportedly 'inconsolable' the Brisbane woman won't return to raise their five children because of a tragic last minute decision
A temporary air exclusion zone is in place with a 1km radius and 1000 foot ceiling until 3.30pm on Monday.
Investigators are expected to consider poor light as a factor in the crash.
Peter Thompson, staying at the Leigh Creek Caravan Park, said he had seen the plane before it crashed.
'I took more interest than normal because he seemed to be off course. He appeared to turn and come back and then turn again. I didn't know if he was in trouble or not - but I had a funny feeling,' he told The Advertiser.
'Planes normally come straight over the park to the runway,' he said.
'I moved forward to track him and he just vanished.'
Variety Bash Queensland chief executive Steve Wakerley paid tribute to Ms Whitford on Facebook.
Investigators from Recreational Aviation Australia were at the crash site, 560km north of Adelaide, on Monday. A temporary air exclusion zone is in place with a one kilometre radius and 1000 foot ceiling until 3.30pm on Monday
'Rachel was a good friend to many of us,' he said.
She dedicated her life to helping young people through her work with Variety, the Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association and the Queensland Police Service, the post said.
'Our thoughts go out to her children, her family and friends, along with her PCYC and police colleagues.'
Mr Gesler, from from Donell Park, was a much respected Member of the National Cutting Horse Association, the NCHA Facebook page says.
'Peter's impact on the sports of Campdraft and Cutting has been enormous,' their tribute says.
'With wife Debbie, the Donell Park Stud has produced some of the most legendary horses in both sports, a legacy that will live on for generations.'
SA police are also investigating the crash and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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