Image: ATSB
In short:
A GoPro camera captured the moment an Avalon Airshow stunt went wrong after the pilot began a complex manoeuvre too low. The ATSB report reveals no mechanical fault, but serious concerns around safety and emergency planning.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its preliminary findings into the crash of a Pitts S1-11X biplane during the opening display of the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, revealing that the pilot initiated a complex aerobatic manoeuvre at an altitude dangerously below both standard practice and the aircraft’s recovery threshold.
A MANOEUVRE UNDERTAKEN TOO LOW
The solo display flight, conducted by veteran aerobatic pilot Glenn Collins of the Sky Aces Display Team, ended in a catastrophic impact during a triple avalanche manoeuvre—a demanding sequence involving a looping arc combined with snap rolls. According to onboard GoPro footage recovered by investigators, Collins began the final upward segment of the loop at approximately 100 feet above ground level, far below the 1,000-foot altitude typically used in training for the same manoeuvre.
The aircraft climbed to between 700 and 800 feet before initiating the roll sequence. However, the footage shows Collins was unable to recover from the final downward arc, with the aircraft impacting the ground west of the runway, leaving a 95-metre scar across the grass.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell described the initial findings as “concerning,” noting that the decision to initiate such a complex manoeuvre at such a low altitude left “very limited margin for recovery.”
NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE
Investigators found no pre-impact defects or anomalies in the aircraft’s airframe, control systems or engine. The wreckage examination confirmed that the Pitts S1-11X was structurally sound prior to impact, and there is currently no indication that a mechanical failure contributed to the accident.
Collins, a pilot with more than 2,700 flight hours and 15 years of aerobatic experience, was seriously injured in the crash, sustaining spinal and pelvic trauma. He was airlifted from the scene to The Alfred Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition. He is reportedly undergoing intensive rehabilitation with limited sensation in his legs but partial movement.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE DELAYED BY PYROTECHNICS
The impact occurred within a designated pyrotechnic zone, prepped for a “wall of fire” display later in the show. This location significantly hampered the emergency response. Firefighters and medical personnel were delayed by approximately 10 minutes as they waited for clearance to enter the hazardous area. Pyrotechnics crew members were first on scene, but were not equipped to provide advanced medical assistance.
The ATSB has confirmed it is reviewing the operational coordination between airshow flight operations and pyrotechnic safety planning as part of its ongoing investigation.
INDUSTRY REFLECTION AND NEXT STEPS
The crash has sent ripples through the airshow and aerobatic communities. While no spectators were injured, the implications for display protocol, emergency preparedness and validation of routines are being closely examined.
The final ATSB report, expected later this year, will include detailed analysis of contributing factors and may recommend procedural or regulatory changes. Key areas under scrutiny include airshow display approval processes, pilot validation flights, and emergency response planning in complex event environments.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community is left to reflect on the delicate balance between spectacle and safety. Collins’ extensive experience, combined with his severe injuries, underscores the inherent risks of aerobatics, even in the hands of skilled professionals.
This incident also highlights the crucial role of onboard footage in modern accident investigation. The GoPro footage has proven instrumental in understanding the sequence of events and the decisions made in the final seconds of flight—data that may ultimately shape future safety standards in Australian airshow operations.
