A pilot is in a critical condition after losing control of their plane during an aerobatics display at the Avalon Airshow and crashing into the tarmac.
Victoria police said the incident occurred on Friday at about 5.15pm on the first day of the airshow which is the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Police confirmed the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained serious injuries.
“The incident occurred a significant distance away from spectators and there have been no reports of further injuries,” police said.
The exact circumstance surrounding the crash were yet to be determined, police said.
At 7.10pm Ambulance Victoria released a statement saying the pilot was being airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital in a critical condition, with injuries to both to the upper and lower body.
Avalon Australian International Airshow organiser, Justin Giddings, said the airshow had concluded for the day to allow the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation team to have full and free access to the site.
“We are continuing with preparations to recommence the airshow tomorrow morning, subject to confirmation this evening,” Giddings said on Friday.
“Our thoughts are with the pilot and his family, friends and team members,” he said.
Spectator Geoff Crane said there was a “huge gasp” from the crowd as they saw the plane tumbling along the ground, picking up dirt, followed by silence.
“It really looked like the guy died – or could well have died. It was a very violent tumble.”
The crowd waited in silence – many deeply affected, hugging and crying – for 40 minutes not knowing the pilot’s fate, Crane said.
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Four fire engines, one airforce engine and two ambulances came on the scene, he said.
The crowd erupted in a “big round of applause” when the announcement came over the loudspeaker shortly after 6pm that the pilot was alive but in a critical condition.
Although the rest of the day’s show had been suspended, Crane said “it didn’t feel right not to wait to find out what happened”.
“It was a very sad end to what was a thrilling day,” Crane said.
Crane said there appeared to be four planes up at the same – three flying together in formation, and then one by itself, which he believed was the one that crashed.
Almost 250,000 spectators were expected to attend the biennial airshow which runs from Friday to Sunday.
