ATSB finds Avalon Airshow pilot exited manoeuvre too low

By Andrew Curran.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has completed its investigation into an air display accident at Avalon earlier this year. The agency concluded that the aircraft, which was performing a triple avalanche manoeuvre, was too low when it exited the complex aerobatic sequence.

The pilot was seriously injured when the Pitts S1-11X, VH-PVX (msn UB001), crashed while exiting a loop during the Avalon Airshow on March 28, 2026. The aircraft was one of four Pitts S1-11Xs operated by Paul Bennet Airshows as part of The Sky Aces formation aerobatic team.

The ATSB said the investigation highlights the importance of maintaining minimum safe heights during aerobatic manoeuvres.

The investigation found that the triple avalanche manoeuvre, which comprises a loop with three snap rolls at the top, was commenced at around 100 feet above ground level rather than the 200 feet used during previous flights.

The aircraft climbed to around 800 feet during the first half of the loop, similar to previous flights. However, the changed profile resulted in the aircraft having a lower-than-usual nose attitude during the snap rolls.

“The low nose attitude limited the ability of the aircraft to climb further during the snap rolls and resulted in the pilot finishing the snap rolls still at around 800 feet, rather than having climbed above 1,000 feet, as demonstrated in previous flights,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“The pilot then commenced the second half of the loop with insufficient height to safely recover.”

Low level aerobatics is risky, says ATSB Commissioner.

Mitchell noted that low-level aerobatics is an inherently high-risk activity. However, he said pilots can reduce risk by establishing and adhering to minimum heights at key points throughout a manoeuvre, and by making sure there is an exit strategy if those minimums are not met.

He also said regular debriefs and reviews of in-flight video recorded by both pilots and team members can be important safety tools.

The ATSB investigation also highlighted the complexity of the operating environment, which delayed the emergency response.

“The flight display took place above a pyrotechnic detonation area, where the aircraft came to rest," Mitchell added. "Responding aviation rescue firefighting service (and ambulance crews) had to assess and safely navigate the pyrotechnics before reaching the pilot.”

Airshow organiser making changes to improve emergency services access

Avalon Airshow organiser AMDA Foundation Limited is redesigning the pyrotechnic area for future airshows to provide better access routes for emergency services.

AMDA will also adopt aerobatic display requirements similar to those used by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. These include minimum height requirements based on aircraft performance, together with mandatory ‘gate’ parameters or check altitudes at critical stages of aerobatic manoeuvres. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

You can read the full final report here.

Photo: Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com