Avalon crash pilot began final loop 100ft lower than usual

So far, they believe that the Paul Bennet Airshows team member started the ‘triple avalanche’ loop at just 100ft above the runway and peaked in altitude at 700–800ft, far lower than the 1,000ft attempted in a previous practice session.

The high-profile incident took place on the Friday evening of the airshow in March and led to all subsequent displays being cancelled until the next afternoon. However, despite suffering spinal injuries, Collins later told those who had donated on GoFundMe that he was on the road to recovery and was humbled by the level of support.

Collins was performing in his Pitts S1‑11X with the Sky Aces display team when he attempted the solo manoeuvre away from his other three teammates. The aircraft, though, crashed into a grassy area to the west of the runway, opposite the public viewing areas and grandstands, creating a 95-metre ground scar and debris trail.

It finally came to rest upright, facing north, almost opposite to the direction of the impact sequence. Collins was seriously injured but was provided first aid before being flown to hospital.

“On being notified of the accident, the ATSB immediately commenced an investigation, with investigators arriving onsite early the following morning to ensure their evidence collection and accident site mapping activities minimised disruption to the airshow flying display,” Angus Mitchell, the ATSB’s chief commissioner, said.

“After it was examined in situ, the aircraft wreckage was transported to a secure hangar on the airport where investigators conducted a thorough engineering examination that found – to the extent possible – no evidence of any control or airframe issues before the accident.”

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Mitchell emphasised that the ATSB’s preliminary report does not include findings or analysis, which will be contained in the final report.

Among the evidence gathered is footage from a forward‑facing GoPro camera from the cockpit of the aircraft, which recorded the accident.

It shows the altimeter indicating 100ft above runway height at the start of the ‘triple avalanche’ manoeuvre – a basic loop with three snap rolls at the top of the loop.

“The pilot had started this manoeuvre at approximately 200 ft above ground level during previous training flights,” Mitchell noted.

Before the camera’s view was blocked by the pilot’s body position, the footage showed the altimeter indicating a height of 700–800ft just before the aircraft reached its peak altitude, prior to the snap rolls. This was below the pilot’s reported normal minimum altitude for commencing the snap rolls of 1,000ft.

During the back half of the loop, after the snap rolls, the pilot was unable to arrest the rate of descent before the aircraft impacted the ground.

Mitchell said that as the investigation continued, it would further review video recordings of the accident flight, and consider preparations for the display, as well as aircraft maintenance records and other components recovered from the accident site.

“The investigation is also reviewing display preparations, survivability factors, and the emergency response plan in place at the airport and for the event.”