<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>341371</docID> <postdate>2025-03-29 10:52:38</postdate> <headline>Airshow reopens after crash as pilot fights for life</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-341372" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250328130151185126-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>A pilot remains in a critical condition after his plane crashed at the Avalon Airshow. (Michael Currie/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Rachael Ward</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>Australia's biggest airshow will resume following a serious crash in front of tens of thousands of spectators that left an experienced pilot fighting for life.</strong></p> <p>The man aged in his 50s was attempting a solo aerobatic manoeuvre at the Avalon Airshow on Friday afternoon when he lost control.</p> <p>His aircraft crashed and skidded along the ground and he was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital with serious injuries to both his upper and lower body.</p> <p>He was in a critical but stable condition on Saturday morning.</p> <p>Paul Bennet Airshows confirmed the pilot is a member of its Sky Aces aerobatics team.</p> <p>"We confirm there has been an incident involving one of our long time Sky Aces pilots during (Friday's) aerobatic display at the Avalon Australian International Airshow," the organisation said in a statement.</p> <p>"Our thoughts are with his family and we are grateful for the emergency services who responded quickly.</p> <p>"Our team and families appreciate the well-wishes and support."</p> <p>Avalon Airshow reopened its doors at 8am on Saturday but the flying display was pushed back to a later start time.</p> <p>The show was abandoned late on Friday and tens of thousands of spectators sent home so the Australian Transport Safety Bureau could investigate what happened.</p> <p>The incident happened away from onlookers and no one else was injured.</p> <p>Andrew, a witness who did not give his surname, said the plane came down in a loop and could not recover.</p> <p>"We're okay... everyone was a bit stunned," he told AAP.</p> <p>The wreck of the orange plane – a Wolf Pitts Pro aircraft capable of travelling at a top speed of 414km/h – came to a stop near the tarmac and sparked a small grass fire.</p> <p>The circumstances surrounding the crash were yet to be determined, Victoria Police said.</p> <p>The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is probing the crash and officials are on their way from Canberra to examine the site.</p> <p>They will also look at flight tracking information, pilot and aircraft maintenance records, weather and other data.</p> <p> </p> </body>