Two people have been killed after their aircraft crashed into a mountainous region of Queensland’s Pioneer Valley, inland from Mackay.

Police said a member of the public alerted them to the crash at about 9:30 on Saturday morning, telling officers they saw the aircraft slam into the mountain.

The RACQ rescue helicopter was deployed and spotted the wreckage of the plane at about 11:30, with black smoke seen billowing out from underneath the thick tree cover.

Queensland Police said on Sunday afternoon ground crews were still working to retrieve the aircraft, which is situated in difficult terrain.

It’s understood two people, a man aged 73 and a woman aged 75, were onboard the aircraft at the time.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau has been notified of the crash and has begun an investigation.

-AAP