Tributes flow for Christopher ‘Bob’ Turner after planes collide

The South East Queensland flying community has been left “deeply deeply shocked” by the tragic deaths of two pilots in a mid-air collision, with one a founding member of one of the region’s biggest gliding clubs.

The South East Queensland flying community is in shock after the tragic death of two pilots in a mid-air collision near Gympie on Wednesday, November 9.

A spokesman for the Caboolture Gliding Club, where veteran pilot and instructor Christopher “Bob” Turner was a founding member, said the club was “deeply shocked” by the tragedy.

Mr Turner was flying a glider when it collided with another plane about 4km from the Kybong Aerodrome, south of Gympie, on Wednesday afternoon.

Bob Turner, Caboolture pilot killed in air crash near Gympie Wednesday November 9, 2022.

Caboolture Gliding Club president Garrett Russell said Mr Turner was a “founding father” at the club, which started in Brisbane before moving north.

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Mr Turner had been a presence at the club there for more than 30 years, he said.

“I learned a lot from him.

“It’s a huge loss.”

Mr Turner’s influence was felt throughout flying clubs across South East Queensland.

Mr Russell described him as a “highly experienced” pilot and a “highly valued instructor” who had mentored pilots until his retirement only a few years ago.

He called it a day “to just fly for his own pleasure”.

Bob Turner (pictured) has been remembered as a “gentle gentleman” by Gliding Australia president Lindsay Mitchell.

“Bob was right up there at the top of instructors,” Mr Russell said.

“He was one of the most experienced pilots I’ve ever flown with.

“It makes it all the more shocking.”

Members of the Caboolture Club were “deeply, deeply shocked” by news of the tragedy, he said.

Gliding Australia vice president Lindsay Mitchell said he was “gutted” when he saw Mr Turner’s name on his screen: “I thought ‘Oh hell, that’s Bob’”.

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Mr Mitchell said Mr Turner was passionate about flying, which had led to a long friendship between the men.

“I’d known him for decades, we’d flown gliders for decades,” Mr Mitchell said.

Mr Turner had lived at Caboolture and was a founding member of the region’s gliding club in the 80s.

He served as a gliding instructor for many years.

“He was just another true gentleman.”

Police at the crash site on Wednesday. Picture: Lachie Millard

Investigators at the crash site on Wednesday. Picture: Lachie Millard

Police at the crash site on Wednesday. Picture: Lachie Millard

Originally published as Tributes flow for Christopher ‘Bob’ Turner after planes collide