Veteran aviator Glenn Collins has been recognized as the pilot who is in a life-or-death struggle after his plane crashed during an aerobatic display at the Avalon Airshow, which drew tens of thousands of spectators.

As the largest airshow in Australia reopened on Saturday, Paul Bennet Airshows confirmed that Collins, who performed as part of their team, was the pilot involved in the crash.

A statement from the group on Saturday mentioned, “Yesterday, one of our long-time Sky Aces team faced an accident during the aerobatic display at the Avalon Australian International Airshow.”

The Bennet family and the Paul Bennet Airshows team expressed their concern for Collins, who remains hospitalized, and his family during this difficult time.

The team also relayed their gratitude to the medical staff and everyone around the world who sent messages of support.

They mentioned that Paul Bennet Airshows will not be performing at the Avalon Australian International Airshow, but they still hope that the public can enjoy the world-class event.

According to the website of the team, Collins has over 2,700 hours of flying experience and is an experienced skydiver with 83 jumps to his name.

He has participated in several competitions, receiving awards such as the New South Wales and Australian Sportsman champion in 1997, Australian Intermediate champion in 1998, and Victorian Advanced champion in 1999.

Collins, in his 50s, was attempting a solo aerobatic maneuver at the Avalon Airshow on Friday afternoon when he lost control.

His aircraft crash-landed and skidded along the ground. He was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital with severe injuries and was determined to be in a critical but stable condition on Saturday morning.

The Avalon Airshow resumed its operations at 8 a.m. on Saturday, but the flying display started later than usual.

The show was suspended late on Friday, and tens of thousands of spectators were sent home to allow the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to investigate the incident.

The crash occurred away from the onlookers, and no one else was injured.

Lauchlan Broughton, who witnessed the crash, explained that the plane was attempting to emerge from a dive when it hit the ground. Broughton believed that the pilot might not have gained enough altitude to lift off successfully.

Broughton noted that the plane was “lucky to have landed the way it did” and commented on how quickly the incident unfolded.

The crowd remained quiet while awaiting updates on the pilot’s condition, and there was an inaudible round of applause when they were informed that he was alive.

The wreckage of the plane, a Wolf Pitts Pro aircraft capable of a maximum speed of 414km/h, came to a stop near the runway and sparked a small grass fire.

The exact cause of the crash was yet to be determined by Victoria Police, who stated that officials from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau would investigate the site and examine flight and maintenance records, among other factors.

Investigators have urged anyone with videos of the plane in flight or the crash to contact them.

Additionally, a Jetstar flight scheduled to depart from Sydney to Avalon late on Friday was diverted to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport as a result of the crash.

AAP contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/29/avalon-airshow-reopens-after-crash