Aerobatic Crash at Temora

[Walrus 7]

News to hand that an aerobatic pilot has died in a crash at Temora. Can anyone help with more information?

Walrus

[HarleyD]

From the Herald Sun:

Aerobatic plane crashes; one dead

Article from: AAP
January 20, 2009 11:25am

ONE person is dead after an aerobatic plane crashed and burst into flames in the New South Wales Riverina.
The plane caught fire after crashing near the Aviation Museum at Temora, about 80km from Wagga Wagga, just after 10.30am (AEDT).
"The plane is currently on fire and one person is confirmed deceased in the accident," the ambulance service said.
Police confirmed the small plane had just one occupant, but could not immediately provide further information.
Police said an emergency call was made from Airport Road, Temora.
The fatal crash came half an hour after a light aircraft overturned on a runway at the Old Bar Airstrip near Taree, on the NSW mid north coast.
The ambulance service said the plane came to rest on its roof.
Paramedics treated two occupants who managed to free themselves from the aircraft.

[Walrus 7]

I've just been told the pilot's name. I won't post it here. I just want to say that this is shattering news.

Walrus

[I spy]

Anyone know the make of plane yet?

I have several friends who are aerobatic pilots......I'm sitting here feeling sick

[Capcom]

:( ... yes a huge loss!
.
He, in his unique way, has done so much for so many in Aviation and elsewhere over the years! :D
.
I am sure he would have wished to be in no other seat than that one when the time came to meet the maker!
.
RIP Cobba!!!

[TexanPilot]

A true gentleman of aviation.... the community has suffered a massive loss... my phone has been ringing off the hook with people that just can't believe it.

RIP mate :sad:

[VH-XXX]

FYI - Just found this on the web. Not so much a warning, but just goes to show who is reading here, so be nice and word comments appropriately.


It took less than 10 minutes for this article to appear after some comments were made on here.


Aerobatic pilot killed
Georgina Robinson
January 20, 2009 - 12:51PM

An aerobatic pilot was killed when his plane crashed into a runway at Temora in NSW's Riverina this morning.
And two people have been injured in a separate plane crash near Taree on the NSW Mid North Coast.

The aerobatic plane crashed about halfway along the runway at the aerodrome near the Temora Aviation Museum just after 10.30am. NSW Ambulance confirmed the pilot - the only person on board - was killed.
Temora is about 80 kilometres north of Wagga Wagga in the south-west Riverina district.

Sydney businessman David Lowy set up the Temora Aviation Museum in 1999.
A museum employee said she could not comment on the crash.

Contributors to online pilots' forum PPRuNE say the aircraft involved was an Extra 300 series aerobatic plane.

They paid tribute to the pilot, who has yet to be formally identified, but is understood to be a champion acrobatic pilot.

"A true gentleman of aviation," one said. "The community has suffered a massive loss... my phone has been ringing off the hook with people that just can't believe it."

Another contributor wrote: "He, in his unique way, has done so much for so many in Aviation and elsewhere over the years!"

I am sure he would have wished to be in no other seat than that one when the time came to meet the maker!
"RIP Cobba!!!"

Temora Aero Club president Rob Maslin said details about the crash were sketchy at this stage.

"I can't comment much on it, other than it's a single engine aircraft that crashed with one man on board," Mr Maslin said.

He said he did not see the crash and was unable to say how old the pilot was.
Crash investigators are travelling to the aerodrome and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

[HarleyD]

Georgina Robinson, you can quote me on this if you like:

“PPrune members were appalled and disgusted by the so-called journalistic coverage of this tragic event. Numerous redundant, inaccurate and incorrect references to witnesses who did not see anything and quotes as a result phone calls to corporate receptionists by air headed sensationalists are not really considered as proper research by any normal standards. The lack of respect and deference for those who are feeling a sense personal loss and choose to confer with colleagues on an aviation forum is considered to be intrusive and, we might add, that references to these anonymous sources without verification shows a clear lack of ‘journalistic integrity’ a phrase considered to be oxymoronic by those aviation industry professionals who use this space.”

HD

[Walrus 7]

Georgina Robinson, if you're out there.

Any chance you could do your own research? Or is it just easier for an air-head reporter with no qualifications in anything to do with aviation to steal comments from people who didn't intend them for anyone outside of the aviation industry?

I think I just answered my own question.

Walrus

[Critical Reynolds No]

Is she available for parties? Need a few clowns at my next event.

[Diatryma]

Aerobatic pilot killed - General - News - smh.com.au (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/plane-crash-one-dead/2009/01/20/1232213598441.html)


Aerobatic pilot killed

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2009/01/20/tommoon470.jpgTom Moon ...killed in today's crash.
Picture: Peter Morris

A true gentleman of aviation. The community has suffered a massive loss... my phone has been ringing off the hook with people that just can't believe it

Georgina Robinson
January 20, 2009 - 12:51PM


A champion aerobatic pilot and good friend of Sydney businessman David Lowy has been killed in a plane crash in NSW's Riverina this morning.
Sydney accountant Tom Moon was flying his aerobatic plane at Temora Airport when it crashed about halfway along the runway near the Temora Aviation Museum just after 10.30am.
Mr Moon was the museum's treasurer and one of its directors. His biography on the museum website says he was a chartered accountant for 24 years and obtained his pilot's licence in 1986.
He had more than 1400 hours flying experience, 1100 of those spent flying aerobatics.
"Mr Moon won the Australian National Aerobatic Championships in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003 and has competed at three World Championships where he was the highest placed Australian in two of those events," his biography states.
'One of the most qualified'
"He has won the NSW title six times and has been Australian Freestyle Champion five times. He is regarded as one of the most qualified and awarded aerobatic pilots in Australia and performs regularly at airshows and sporting events."
Mr Moon's mentor was the French world champion aerobatic pilot, Xavier de Lapparent.
Temora is about 80 kilometres north of Wagga Wagga in the south-west Riverina district.
The airport was home to an RAAF flying school from 1941 until 1946 and was used for a variety of aviation sports for five decades until David Lowy set up the Temora Aviation Museum on the site in 1999.
An article published in the Herald in 2006 said Moon and Lowy were flying mates who found the old Temora aerodrome and converted it into a national aviation museum.
"It's enormous what [Lowy's] done," Moon said at the time.
"It's respected worldwide as one of the best war aviation museums in the world.
"It's interestingly one of the only museums where everything flies. We don't want static aeroplanes sitting around gathering dust."
It is understood Mr Lowy is overseas at the moment. A spokeswoman for the Westfield group said the company would not comment on the crash.
A museum employee said she could not comment on the crash.
Tributes
Contributors to online pilots' forum PPRuNE say the aircraft involved was an Extra 300 series aerobatic plane.
They paid tribute to the pilot, who has yet to be formally identified, but is understood to be a champion acrobatic pilot from Sydney who regularly flew in airshows and sporting events.
"A true gentleman of aviation," one said. "The community has suffered a massive loss... my phone has been ringing off the hook with people that just can't believe it."
Another contributor wrote: "He, in his unique way, has done so much for so many in Aviation and elsewhere over the years!"
I am sure he would have wished to be in no other seat than that one when the time came to meet the maker!
"RIP Cobba!!!"Temora Aero Club president Rob Maslin said details about the crash were sketchy at this stage.
"I can't comment much on it, other than it's a single engine aircraft that crashed with one man on board," Mr Maslin said.
Crash investigators were travelling to airport to investigate, police said.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
A report is also being prepared by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
In the other incident, paramedics are treating two people who got out of a light plane that slipped and flipped on a runway at the Old Bar Airstrip near Taree just after 10am.


RIP TOM

Di :uhoh:

[Walrus 7]

Tom Moon probably deserves more accolades than us mere mortals are able to give him. Aviation was richer for him being in it, and poorer for him having left it. Thoughts with family, friends and the entire team at Temora Aviation Museum.

A sad day indeed.

Walrus

[TexanPilot]

WHY THE :mad: HAS MY POST ENDED UP AS A :mad:ING QUOTE!!!!!!!

Like some other members of this forum I am disgusted at the lack of respect from the so called media.... Why is a degree in journalism three years... obviously all they do is sit on there ass in an office somewhere and steal what other people write.

Journalists are a pack of vultures and a pack of dead****s.

I think that this so called journalist should post an apology on this thread because she obviously has access.

[Catpants]

From the late, great Hunter S Thompson:

"The press is a gang of cruel faggots. Journalism is not a profession or a trade. It is a cheap catch-all for all the f*ckoffs and misfits - a false doorway to the backside of life, a filthy p*ss-ridden little hole nailed off by the building inspector, but just deep enough for a wino to curl up from the sidewalk and masturbate like a chimp in a zoo cage".


Hunter S Thompson

Journalist.

[flog]

PPRUNE = public domain = fair game for quotes.

Sad but true some jorno's are too lazy to go and speak to people. In theory they should have messaged you first to confirm facts - but that might end up in you saying bugger off...

[Fantome]

Strewth. Col Pay. Now Tom. The thin, fine line between great skill and cutting your margins. And so it goes. RIP.

[Wizofoz]

Tommy was one of the most irrepressible, larger than life, indelible characters anyone was likely to meet.

I had the honour to count him as a teacher and a friend. We spent some fantastic times together in Aircraft, and many, many more talking, looking, and thinking about them, usually over his favorite- good old Crown Lager.

I'm devastated as will be every one who new and loved this wonderful character.

Flying hard-core Aerobatics we all knew the Reaper was near-by, but that was what made it such a hugely exhilarating experience.

I am shocked beyond belief that Tom, one of the most skilled and able practitioners anyone could ever meet, has met this fate.


Reminds me of a Poem I quoted after the passing of another dear friend of both Tom and myself....

"Come to the edge" I said
They said "We cannot, for we are afraid
"Come to the edge" I said
They came, I pushed them off, and they flew.

God speed Tommy.

[wardie]

A sad day, Blue Skies Tom

http://www.jmbphotography.com.au/gallery2/d/474-2/_MG_1165.jpg

[Foyl]

I'm in shock. Such a loss!

RIP Tom, you will be HUGELY missed.

[fatboywings]

Tom,

Thanks for a great show Tom. What a life for an accountant to live. Your the man.

Kindest Regards
Benjamin Merkenhof

[NFK4X4]

I can only say as a friend, a client and a fellow aviator:
Tom you lived your life by your own words:
"What a way to go!"
Make sure we look after Roxy...

[onthedials]

I had a plane in a hangar that Tom was using, near his Extra, some years ago.

We exchanged greetings, as all good aviators do, on many occasions.

One day I had my 10 (or 11 or 12?) year old son with me. I took him over to show him the Extra. Tom patiently explained many of the quirks of aerobatic aeroplanes and the little fellow got to sit in the Extra's pilot seat. It took ages, mainly because junior didn't want to get out. Tom's patience far exceeded mine as he took him through a synopsis of aerobatic flying and the various qualities of the Extra.

I bet Tom had plenty else to do, but we felt like the most important people in the world. I bet he had that manner with many people.

In the car on the way home, said small person was full of questions about aeros. I've been flying nearly 30 years, but couldn't even get close. I bet Tom could.

I can imagine how his colleagues at Temora must feel and my thoughts are with them and everyone else dear to him.

What a sad loss to us all. A true gentleman, faithful to the best traditions of aviation.

Andrew/.

[sms777]

I did not know Tom Moon personally but i have watched many times from the ground performing his skills. It always saddens me loosing such a talented aviator.
It was a beautiful aeroplane and a masterful pilot.
I am sure both will be missed by many.

R.I.P.

:sad:

[Philthy]

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l158/Philthy88/Tom-Moon-FASOB-CCY-15-7-01-350.jpg

Cloncurry, 15 July 2001, during the Federation Airshows in the Outback.

'Bye Tom.

[captwawa]

tom will be missed by all, texan i wouldnt worry too much about the media, what u have said was spot on.. i just watched a youtube video on tom. geeze i cant believe.. seams all the good guys are slowing going.. :(

[Danny]

Which bit of the red writing at the bottom of every page on PPRuNe don't some of you understand?

As these are anonymous forums the origins of the contributions may be opposite to what may be apparent. In fact the press may use it, or the unscrupulous, or sciolists*, to elicit certain reactions.

*"sciolist"... Noun, archaic. "a person who pretends to be knowledgeable and well informed".

[Wizofoz]

Danny, a bit of checking and you'll find I'm someone you know and have flown with.

We are grieving over the loss of a dear friend and magnificent aviator.

Your sarcastic remarks are neither appropriate nor appreciated.

[spindoctor]

I had the privilege of knowing Tom for only a short time; we met at the Red Bull training camp a few years ago where Tom was confident he would be the first Aussie to race. Things didn’t work out for him and he couldn’t fly, but despite being absolutely gutted at his predicament he immediately pitched in, his critiquing and advice was invaluable.
With a bag full of lawyer and sheep jokes, He was the quintessential Aussie.
RIP Tom.

[Checklist Charlie]

Thanks and farewell, Tom.

Danny, perhaps you should ask yourself that same question.:confused::=

CC:*

[Trojan1981]

:(A sad loss, RIP.

This is a public forum and is fair game for overworked Journo's in drasticly understaffed news organisations. The temptation to take a public domain quote from here and post it on a news website may be to much to resist in the race to be first online with a 'story'.

For the Journo's here, it would be polite to at least ask if you can quote members beforehand, even if permission is not required. Journalism has its place, but quality journalism is fast disappearing in this country.

[markkkk]

I met Tom only 2 and a half weeks ago at the great eastern fly in at Evans Heads on the 3rd and 4th of this month. I had never met him before and my self and my partner had some great conversations with him over the 2 days.while we were waiting around for our respective displays. My partner has just come home from work and I told her and she is devastated. He had made such an impression on both of us in that short time. I want to post a picture of him 2 weeks ago that I took of him net to the Extra 300 as a mark of respect to a true gentleman and one hell of a great guy.
How do I attach a picture here there is no tab to do that only a url insert

[gsf]

markkkk: Read the sticky in History & Nostalgia, and take note of the sticky at the top of this forum.

[The Wawa Zone]

Bye Tommy Moon, through the Pearly Gates at 90 degrees AOB with a bit of top rudder, old mate. One only had to look at your displays to know how much you were enjoying it.

Does anyone actually know what happened ?

Don't get too wound up about the journo using pprune quotes; it looks more like lazy reporting than anything malicious.

[flog]

Not sure what happened to cause the crash - but can say that he was doing the aeros for a movie he was making about aerobatics.

R.I.45degInvertedDownLineWith2xSnap

[Eleri]

Hi, my name is Eleri Harris and I'm a journalist from Crikey (http://www.crikey.com.au/index-member.html). I've written a couple of stories in the last week about journalists abusing online forums (one yesterday here (http://www.crikey.com.au/Media-Arts-and-Sports/20090121-Journos-circle-online-forums-for-the-dead.html)) and today recieved a tip about this thread from someone in the aviation community. Would it be okay with the members of this forum if I used this thread as an example for misuse of forums for quotes? I don't want to be the pot calling the kettle black.

[Shark Slayer]

Journalists. Qualified for nothing & experts on everything.:D

[Walrus 7]

Eleri,

Thanks for asking. I'm happy for you to use anything I've written, although the best copy has been posted here by others. The only way to do this with integrity is to PM each one and ask.

I am an aviation journo in my quiet hours (a pursuit that virtually guarantees few quiet hours) and I think I speak for most on this forum that our complaint is largely that general media haven't the first clue about aviation and have made some of the most stupid statements about flying. The problem largely is that the general public gets their aviation information from general media outlets that only ever report the bad stuff, and do that poorly. We are not represented well out there.

Hence, many posters are reluctant to have any contact with general media journos. The acrimonious reply to your request is a good example.

As a rule, the posters here frame their messages in language that they know other aviators will understand, and don't expect them to end up in an article written by someone who hasn't the first clue what they mean, or the context in which they were written. In the Georgina Robinson case, the extracted quotes really did no harm, but we aren't about to assist the general media with their work when they represent us so poorly.

Tom Moon was an Australian aerobatic champion. Where was the general media article about that?

Walrus

[ASKARI]

I watched Tom perform his routine many years ago at a local club event in Mittagong and have seen him perform many, many times since then - he was a masterful performer!
Sad loss to aviation - condolences to those sadly affected by this loss.

[HappyJack260]

"Tom Moon was an Australian aerobatic champion. Where was the general media article about that?"

Well, there was a pretty good article in The Australian, and John Sharpe's obituary of Tom in the Sydney Morning Herald was exemplary - as you'd expect from a friend of Tom's who is another aerobatic pilot and good bloke, as well as a journalist.

Tom encouraged me to get into competition aerobatics, advised me on the choice of plane (though I ended up not following his advice) and will be sadly missed. RIP

[the wizard of auz]

story about Tom and a bit of video of him telling about his aerobatics.Champion aerobatic pilot Tom Moon killed in NSW Riverina | Herald Sun (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24938742-5005961,00.html) He was a talented lad indeed.

[wardie]

From Warbirdz.net forum (posted by Mustang51)

Tom Moon's funeral is to take place on Wednesday, 28 January at St Andrews church on cnr of St Andrews Place and Kingsway, Cronulla at 10.30am. Apparently a Fly-Past has been approved by the Temora Aviation Museum's Boomerang, Wirraway and another Extra.

Wardie

[Walrus 7]

Happy jack.

I was referring to articles about Tom before he died. I was alluding to the general media only getting interested in GA when there is something bad or tragic to say.

Walrus

[kluge]

Just heard of the tragic news recently in Hong Kong.

From a young Pitts pilot circa early 90's that you judged a few times at Castle Iandra.

RIP Tom

[avi8ar]

Not really sure how to quote as it's my second post, but in response to The Wawa Zones "Does anyone actually know what happened ?";
All i know is that it happened very shortly after takeoff. I heard him make a backtracking call for aeros west of the field. Shortly after i gave him a call which he didnt respond to so i looked outside and saw a dustball and a plume of black smoke.
The trip to YPPF was very quiet after seeing that...

RIP Tom