iscover
The Paul Bennet Airshows pilot involved in last week’s crash at the Avalon Airshow is recovering from surgery and is in a stable condition.
Glenn Collins, whose Pitts Special plane crashed during a four-aircraft display with the SkyAces Formation Aerobatic Team last Friday, suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
“Glenn has since undergone surgery and, while the procedures went as planned, he remains in hospital in a stable condition,” the Paul Bennet Airshows team said in a statement.
“Glenn’s family, and the Paul Bennet Airshows Team, would like to acknowledge the extraordinary level of care and support received from the medical, nursing and allied teams at The Alfred.
“We are also thankful for the continued outpouring of support and well wishes from the aviation community and the general public.
“While this event has generated significant interest, Glenn’s family has asked that they are afforded privacy so they can focus on his recovery. During this time the family will not be available for interviews.”
The accident, which occurred at roughly 5:15pm, took place well away from crowds, and no member of the public was injured. Flying displays at Avalon were temporarily suspended, though the remainder of the show ultimately proceeded as planned.
Collins is a hugely experienced aerobatics pilot who, according to the Paul Bennet Airshow website, has clocked more than 2,700 flying hours.
He has flown competition aerobatics to an advanced level, including becoming NSW and Australian Sportsman champion in 1997, Australian Intermediate champion in 1998 and Victorian Advanced champion in 1999.
His experience also includes skywriting, parachute displays and flying warbirds such as the Wirraway, Tiger Moth and Trojan.
