Crash at Avalon Australian International Airshow leaves pilot critically injured
RUPIRUPICELLEB - A plane has crashed during the Avalon Australian International Airshow, south-west of Melbourne.
Police say emergency services were called to reports a plane known as a Pitts Special aerobatic aircraft had crashed into the tarmac while conducting a demonstration about 5:15pm on Friday.
The pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft, a man aged in his 50s, was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with critical injuries, an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the crash happened away from spectators and there were no other people injured.
The plane, which crashed during the first public day of the event, is believed to have been a part of the Paul Bennet Airshows team.
Spectator Andrew Pearce said the crash happened just a few hundred metres in front of the crowd.
He said the plane hit the ground as it was coming out of a loop.
"He didn't just nosedive, he kind of hit his belly.
"The cockpit was intact where he was but the wings were ... I don't know if they were detached from the plane, but they were crumpled in front of the plane."
He said the first on scene were pyrotechnicians working at the airshow, then airport fire services.
"The other members of Paul Bennet team were flying around, they had to stay in the air because they weren't sure if it was safe to land."
Spectator Geoff Crane travelled from Canberra for the show.
He said four planes were flying at the time, with three higher in the air.
"I was sort of more watching the three, but the one that was by itself caught my eye," Mr Crane said.
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Mr Crane said the crowd around him let out a loud gasp.
He said it was horrific to see.
"It was awful. They were telling us on the commentary that the team of four pilots are all family."
The rest of the day's air program was immediately suspended.
Mr Crane said there was a sombre mood as the crowd left the airfield.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said it had been notified of the incident and would be investigating.
"The ATSB is deploying a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra office, specialising in aircraft operations and maintenance," Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
He said investigators would look at available flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.
"The ATSB asks anyone with video footage of the aircraft at any phase of the flight, or in the immediate aftermath of the accident, to make contact via the witness form on our website at their earliest opportunity."
Police say emergency services were called to reports a plane known as a Pitts Special aerobatic aircraft had crashed into the tarmac while conducting a demonstration about 5:15pm on Friday.
The pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft, a man aged in his 50s, was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with critical injuries, an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the crash happened away from spectators and there were no other people injured.
The plane, which crashed during the first public day of the event, is believed to have been a part of the Paul Bennet Airshows team.
Spectator Andrew Pearce said the crash happened just a few hundred metres in front of the crowd.
He said the plane hit the ground as it was coming out of a loop.
"He didn't just nosedive, he kind of hit his belly.
"The cockpit was intact where he was but the wings were ... I don't know if they were detached from the plane, but they were crumpled in front of the plane."
He said the first on scene were pyrotechnicians working at the airshow, then airport fire services.
"The other members of Paul Bennet team were flying around, they had to stay in the air because they weren't sure if it was safe to land."
Spectator Geoff Crane travelled from Canberra for the show.
He said four planes were flying at the time, with three higher in the air.
"I was sort of more watching the three, but the one that was by itself caught my eye," Mr Crane said.
Airport Was Repeatedly Warned on Bird Strikes Before Deadly South Korea Crash
Mr Crane said the crowd around him let out a loud gasp.
He said it was horrific to see.
"It was awful. They were telling us on the commentary that the team of four pilots are all family."
The rest of the day's air program was immediately suspended.
Mr Crane said there was a sombre mood as the crowd left the airfield.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said it had been notified of the incident and would be investigating.
"The ATSB is deploying a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra office, specialising in aircraft operations and maintenance," Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
He said investigators would look at available flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.
"The ATSB asks anyone with video footage of the aircraft at any phase of the flight, or in the immediate aftermath of the accident, to make contact via the witness form on our website at their earliest opportunity."
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Have you read the following????
Airport Was Repeatedly Warned on Bird Strikes Before Deadly South Korea Crash
Source :abc.net.au
Have you read the following????
Airport Was Repeatedly Warned on Bird Strikes Before Deadly South Korea Crash
Source :abc.net.au
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