‘Praying and wishing he pulls through’: Pilot injured in Avalon Airshow crash named

Experienced pilot Glenn Collins remains in hospital after a horrifying crash at the Avalon Australian International Airshow south-west of Melbourne on Friday.

He remained in a critical but stable condition at The Alfred hospital on Saturday with upper and lower body injuries.

Glenn Collins was injured when his plane crashed during an aerobatics display at Avalon Airshow on Friday.

Collins, who is in his 50s, was attempting a solo manoeuvre when his plane looped around before hitting the ground at the airshow, about 50 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, late on Friday afternoon.

Images from the scene showed the crumpled orange plane surrounded by fire rescue vehicles and ambulances while shocked patrons watched from behind barricades.

According to Paul Bennet Airshows, the aerobatics team with which Collins was flying, he has more than 2700 hours of total flying experience and was the Victoria advanced aerobatics champion in 1999.

He is also an experienced skydiver, with 83 jumps to his name.

The Avalon Airshow had a delayed start on Saturday, with proceedings beginning at midday, after being suspended on Friday following the crash.

In a statement, Paul Bennet Airshows said the team would not be performing in the event on Saturday following the crash involving one of their long-time pilots.

“[We] are thinking of Glenn Collins, who remains in hospital, and his family at this time,” the company said on social media.

“We would like to acknowledge the extraordinary level of support from medical staff, as well as messages of support received from here and around the world.”

The plane Collins was flying, a Wolf Pitts Pro, can reach speeds of up to 414km/h.

A friend of Collins, who asked not to be named, said he was an “amazing pilot” and the tight-knit aviation community was behind him as he recovered.

“Hang in there, Glenn, we’re all rooting for you,” he said.

Saturday’s crowd size didn’t appear to be diminished by the crash, nor by the blustery weather. Aviation enthusiasts, families, children and seniors poured through the entrances to view the display aircraft and find seating to watch the aerial show.

Emergency crews respond after the crash at Avalon Airshow on Friday.Credit: AAP

An announcement over speakers at the event earlier on Saturday said members of the aviation community were wrapping their arms around each other after the plane crash.

“We are just hoping, praying and wishing that he pulls through and that he will be in the cockpit again,” the announcer said.

The six-day airshow event is scheduled to run at the airport, north of Geelong, until March 30.

In light of Friday’s incident, after which the remainder of the day’s scheduled events were suspended, organisers will give Friday ticket holders entrance into Sunday’s show.

Crowds waiting for the aerial demonstrations to start at the Avalon Airshow on Saturday. Credit: Chris Zappone

“As we were unable to deliver a full airshow yesterday, Avalon Australian International Airshow organisers have arranged for Friday ticket holders to receive a free boarding pass (general admission ticket) to attend the event on Sunday,” organisers said on Saturday afternoon. Those tickets will be issued directly via Ticketek.

On Friday, student pilot Taj Cooper was towards the front of the crowd watching the demonstration and said he could not believe Collins survived after his plane plummeted following a solo barrel roll.

“He was a lot lower than he was supposed to be, and as he was about to pull up … unfortunately, he hit the ground, and he hit it pretty hard,” he said.

“Everybody was covering their mouths, just in disbelief at what happened.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the crash.

It is the second incident at Avalon Airport in the past month. On March 6, a teenage boy armed with a gun boarded a plane at Avalon before being disarmed by passengers. He has since been charged with terrorism.

With Brittany Busch

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