The incident occurred during an aerobatics performance on the first public day of the event. The airshow is being held at Avalon Airport, southwest of Melbourne, Victoria.
Reports indicate that the light aircraft, believed to be part of the Paul Bennett Aerobatics team, crashed in front of spectators around 5:15pm local time on Friday 28 March.
Images from the scene show the wreckage of the single engine aircraft. The crashed aircraft was attended by emergency services, including fire rescue vehicles and ambulances.
The event occurred on the first day designated for public attendance of the biennial airshow. This year’s event runs from March 25 to March 30, 2025.
Light Aircraft Accident: Avalon Airshow
The aircraft was identified as a light propeller-driven aircraft, believed to be operated by the Paul Bennett Aerobatics team. The aircraft crashed during an aerobatic manoeuvre in view of spectators.
Preliminary observations indicate the aircraft sustained significant structural damage upon impact. Photographs surfacing on social media revealed a heavily damaged airframe at the crash site.
According to the Australian national broadcaster ABC News, the state police have issued a statement on the condition of the pilot. “The pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft sustained serious injuries,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“The incident occurred a significant distance away from spectators and there have been no reports of further injuries.”
The Avalon Airshow, a prominent aviation exhibition featuring military and civilian aircraft, attracts substantial attendance biennially.
In response to the accident, airshow authorities suspended all further operations for the day. This will enable emergency services to secure the site and initiate a preliminary assessment. The decision reflects standard protocol to ensure safety and facilitate an unimpeded response.
Authorities have not yet determined the definitive causes of the incident as of this report. The airshow management has conveyed its commitment to providing updates as the situation evolves and emphasized its focus on supporting the ongoing response.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as they become available from official sources.
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