By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2025-03-28 16:55:09 | Updated at 2025-03-31 11:10:54
2 days ago
An aircraft has crashed during an aerobatic performance at the Avalon International Airshow near Geelong on Friday.
The incident happened in front of a crowd who were watching the Sky Aces Formation Aerobatic Team about 5.15pm on Friday.
The pilot, believed to be in his 50s, was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne in a critical condition.
In a statement, Victoria Police the pilot had suffered serious injuries.
“The pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft sustained serious injuries,” the statement said.
“The incident occurred a significant distance away from spectators and there have been no reports of further injuries.”
Ambulance Victoria confirmed the pilot suffered upper and lower body injuries and an air ambulance had been dispatched.
The single-seat biplane was performing acrobatic manoeuvres when it crashed, causing gasps within the crowd.
“Emergency services were called to reports the plane, which was conducting a demonstration during an air show, had lost control and crashed into the tarmac about 5.15pm,” a police spokesperson said.
The Avalon Airshow was scheduled to run over the weekend, but has been cancelled following the incident.
A witness named Glenn told 3AW there were four plans when a single plane split off on its own and three others flew off in formation.
“The plane on its own was doing a loop and didn’t pull out of the loop in time and slammed into the ground,” he said.
Another man named Jeff told the station the pilot did a loop and he originally thought it was very close that time.
But on the second loop, 60 seconds later, he crashed into the ground.
“They got the pilot out of the plane, and did perform CPR,” Jeff told 3AW.
A witness reported on X the Paul Bennet aerobatic plane crashed doing a loop too close to the ground.
Another person commented on X the pilot was saved by the fact the plane was almost on its belly when it met the ground.
The circumstances of the crash are yet to be confirmed.
