Pilot killed after two planes collide mid-air in Sydney’s south west identified
A respected aerobatic pilot has died after his aircraft collided mid-air with another plane during formation flying practice near Sydney.
A well-known aerobatic pilot has been killed after two light planes collided mid-air above Sydney’s southwest.
The victim has been identified as 64-year-old Eddie Seve, founder of Freedom Formation - a precision aerobatics group that performs formation displays at airshows across Australia.
Mr Seve, from Sydney’s Hills District, was a highly respected and experienced pilot, recently flying at the Gold Coast Airshow with his group.
Emergency services were called about 12.15pm on Sunday after reports a light aircraft had gone down north-east of the Wedderburn Airport runway, home to the NSW Sport Aircraft Club.
Flight-tracking data shows Mr Seve’s Vans RV-7 — a home-built, single engine, two-seat aircraft — departed Wedderburn just after 11.40am for what appeared to be a routine 30-minute flight.
It headed east towards Wollongong, passed over the ocean, then turned back towards the airfield.
According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the two RV-7s were flying in a formation flight in a group of four aircraft when they collided.
A witness at the airfield said the surviving aircraft “only lost a wheel”, but Mr Seve’s plane was catastrophically damaged.
“The other plane got chopped with the prop, and then the fuselage parted and it came down,” he said.
“It sounded like someone landed on my hangar - it was so loud.”
He said the pair had been flying closely moments before impact.
“They were doing formation, they were so close together,” he said.
“One guy pulled first away and the other guy followed, and then it happened.”
The second aircraft flown by Ollie Geraghty managed to stay airborne and returned to Wedderburn Airport, where it landed safely. Its pilot was uninjured.
The wreckage of Mr Seve’s RV-7 was found in bushland, where crews located his body. He is believed to have been the sole occupant.
“We’ve lost one of our members … we’re pretty upset,” the witness said.
The ATSB will investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision, with a team of safety investigators preparing to deploy to the accident site.
A preliminary report will be released in about two months.
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Originally published as Pilot killed after two planes collide mid-air in Sydney’s south west identified
