Airshow crash investigation reveals pilot crashed among pyrotechnics
A preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation into the incident said the crash site, designated for a planned 'wall of fire' display, complicated rescue efforts due to safety risks, delaying paramedics and fire crews.
Pilot Glenn Collins, part of the Sky Aces aerobatic team, was seriously injured when his Pitts aircraft slammed into the ground in front of airshow crowds in March, leaving a 95m 'ground scar'.
The ATSB report, which outlines early facts but no final conclusions, noted the first ambulance arrived at 5.31pm, about 10 minutes after the crash.
Lead investigator Angus Baxter said pyrotechnicians were the first on the scene following the crash.
'As pyrotechnicians were attending to the pilot, they were unable to safely guide the aviation rescue firefighting service through the pyrotechnicians' area, which increased their response times,' he said.
GoPro footage recovered from the cockpit is playing a key role in the investigation.
It revealed Mr Collins appeared to begin snap rolls for a 'triple avalanche' manoeuvre lower than in previous training flights, between 700 and 800 feet instead of the usual 1000, before the aircraft failed to recover and hit the ground.
Mr Baxter said there was no evidence of any defects in the plane before takeoff.
'We can determine any of the key elements of the flight path, such as the position and the nose attitude of the aircraft throughout the manoeuvre,' he said.
'We examined the wreckage and we found no evidence of pre-impact defects and the flight controls were all intact and connected.
'We've also identified the flight instruments and have recovered those as part of the on-site investigation, and we will be attempting to download any data that might be on those.'
The investigation is ongoing, which will include a review of the airshow's emergency response plan, with a final report expected later this year.
Mr Collins, who was an experienced member of Paul Bennet airshow's aerobatics team, sustained significant injuries in the crash, spending five weeks in hospital before being released to recover closer to home.
'Most of my general injuries are healing well, but I do have spinal damage,' he said in May.
'While I can move my legs – which I'm incredibly grateful for – I don't yet have full feeling in my legs or waist,
'Ongoing rehabilitation will be key, and I'm giving it my all.'
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