Witnesses leapt to the rescue of a pilot moments before his crashed aircraft caught alight on Friday afternoon.
The light plane crashed in a paddock at Tully Road, Greenbank, at about 2.30pm.
Ambulance officers said a man in his 20s was pulled from the plane before it caught alight.
The man suffered serious head, chest and stomach injuries. He was airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition.
Police said the fixed wing aircraft suffered engine difficulties before crashing into bushland and catching fire.
The pilot was the sole occupant.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.
