Video footage from an onboard GoPro camera is aiding the ATSB’s investigation of an aerobatic flight display accident at the Avalon Airshow in March, a preliminary report details.
The Sky Aces display team, comprising four Pitts type aerobatic aircraft operated by Paul Bennet Airshows, was conducting a display during the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport, Victoria on the afternoon of 28 March 2025.
One of the aircraft, a Pitts S1‑11X, was performing a solo manoeuvre away from the other three, when it impacted a grassed area to the west of the runway, opposite to the public viewing areas and grandstands.
The aircraft created a 95 m ground scar and debris trail in a south‑south‑westerly direction, before coming to rest upright, facing north, almost opposite to the direction of the impact sequence.
The pilot 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,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell 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.”
Mr 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 100 ft 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,” Mr Mitchell noted.
Before the camera’s view was blocked by the pilot’s body position, the footage showed the altimeter indicating a height of 700–800 ft 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 1,000 ft.
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.
Mr Mitchell said 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,” he added.
Read the preliminary report: Collision with terrain involving Pitts S1-11X, VH-PVX, Avalon Airport, Victoria, on 28 March 2025