Glenn Collins, an experienced pilot and keen skydiver, was critically injured when his plane plummeted to the ground at Avalon on Friday.
Glenn Collins, an experienced pilot and keen skydiver, was critically injured when his plane plummeted to the ground at Avalon on Friday.
By Ashleigh McMillan and Chris Zappone
March 29, 2025 — 11.55am
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.
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 Collins was flying with, 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.
In a statement, Paul Bennet Airshows said they would not be performing in the event on Saturday following the crash involving one of their long-time pilots.
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“[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 in, a Wolf Pits Pro, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 414km/h.
A friend of Collins who asked not to be named told this masthead 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.
The six-day airshow event is scheduled to run at the airport, north of Geelong, until March 30.
An announcement over speakers at the event on Saturday said the aviation community was 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.
Student pilot Taj Cooper was toward the front of the crowd watching the airshow 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 told this masthead on Friday.
“Everybody was covering their mouths, just in disbelief at what happened.”
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the crash.
It’s 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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Ashleigh McMillan is a breaking news reporter at The Age.Connect via Twitter or email.
Chris Zappone is Digital Foreign Editor of The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via Twitter, Facebook or email.
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