Reckless': second man charged for illegal black flight

A second Queensland man, 32, has been charged in connection with an alleged 'extremely reckless' black flight plot that smuggled two NSW fugitives out of the country. The operation reportedly involved four men—two pilots and two passengers—detained by Indonesian authorities in November 2025. The 32-year-old allegedly piloted a Coen-to-Port Stewart flight with the transponder deactivated, continuing over international waters before landing in Merauke, Indonesia, where the group was seized. One passenger, 34, faced kidnapping warrants and the other, 35, was sought for drug offences. The man was deported after detention and is charged with two counts of people smuggling, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years.