RAAF Roulettes Prang
Evertonian
Roulettes in mid-air crash
By Staff reporters with agencies
January 21, 2005 - 11:34AM
Two RAAF Roulettes aerobatic aircraft collided mid-air over eastern Victoria today.
Both pilots survived, a spokesman for Acting Prime Minister John Anderson said.
The spokesman said one of the pilots ejected to safety as his plane crashed to ground and the second pilot managed to land his aircraft.
A Defence Department spokeswoman confirmed the crash and said they would release further information shortly.
"We are aware of the incident and we are currently seeking confirmation of further details," a spokeswoman said.
Both pilots appear to have escaped serious injury, Mr Anderson's spokesman said.
The plane which crashed to the ground was destroyed but missed all civilian property, the spokesman said.
"I am relieved that both pilots appear to have escaped serious injury and there has been no damage to personal property," Mr Anderson said.
The spokesman said the accident happened during a training flight at the Roulettes' home base in Sale, about 200 kilometres east of Melbourne.
Mr Anderson was being kept informed of the accident and was contacted immediately after the crash by chief of the Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove, the spokesman said.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) elite formation aerobatic display team, The Roulettes, currently fly the two-seat, single-engine Pilatus PC9/A training aircraft.
There are six Roulettes in the team.
The plane is the basic training aircraft for the Australian Defence Force.
A Country Fire Authority spokesman confirmed that they had been notified.
"We've had a truck from Clydebank help out," they said.
The town of Clydebank is close the the RAAF base in East Sale.
RAAF bases typically have a fire service located at the base.
- AAP
January 21, 2005 - 11:34AM
Two RAAF Roulettes aerobatic aircraft collided mid-air over eastern Victoria today.
Both pilots survived, a spokesman for Acting Prime Minister John Anderson said.
The spokesman said one of the pilots ejected to safety as his plane crashed to ground and the second pilot managed to land his aircraft.
A Defence Department spokeswoman confirmed the crash and said they would release further information shortly.
"We are aware of the incident and we are currently seeking confirmation of further details," a spokeswoman said.
Both pilots appear to have escaped serious injury, Mr Anderson's spokesman said.
The plane which crashed to the ground was destroyed but missed all civilian property, the spokesman said.
"I am relieved that both pilots appear to have escaped serious injury and there has been no damage to personal property," Mr Anderson said.
The spokesman said the accident happened during a training flight at the Roulettes' home base in Sale, about 200 kilometres east of Melbourne.
Mr Anderson was being kept informed of the accident and was contacted immediately after the crash by chief of the Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove, the spokesman said.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) elite formation aerobatic display team, The Roulettes, currently fly the two-seat, single-engine Pilatus PC9/A training aircraft.
There are six Roulettes in the team.
The plane is the basic training aircraft for the Australian Defence Force.
A Country Fire Authority spokesman confirmed that they had been notified.
"We've had a truck from Clydebank help out," they said.
The town of Clydebank is close the the RAAF base in East Sale.
RAAF bases typically have a fire service located at the base.
- AAP
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There are six Roulettes in the team.
I would not like to fill out the L 'n' D on this one - at least it wont be "member to pay". bound to be a big internal!
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Lets wait and see what happened when the dust settles a bit.
The only facts so far are:
1. One thankfully "safe" ejection and loss of a hull
2. Another damaged aircraft.
The word "mid air" has been used and it is logical to conclude that the second aircraft was damaged at some time during the accident.
Before, during or after, remains yet to be seen.
From another Woomera who just happens to be in Sale today.
The crash site is a couple of miles from the airport.
While I didn't see the accident (although had I been looking in that direction I would have as we were working only a mile or two from the site) a colleague with me watched the event unfold from immediately after the presumed collision.
Appears that the crashed aircraft was moving forward and down relative to the recovered aircraft and that there was a wingtip to wingtip collision ?
The pilot ejected and the aircraft impacted substantially vertically. The remaining team aircraft returned to the airport. There was the usual post-accident ground and helicopter activity in the vicinity of the crash site.
Subsequent information from a colleague in the RAAF suggests that the pilot is fine other than for the normal post-ejection things.
I thought we agreed that red was going to be MY colour, ahhhhhhhhhhh I don't know that's the last time I drink a gallon of port out of a tea cup with you then
Note to all PPRuNers, there are, as you can see, Woomeri everywhere
do do do do.
I guess then close formation is not a good place to be when one of them has to bug out.
Indeed, and I solemnly promise to use port as my colour henceforth in deference to your ability to outdrink me when it comes to port out of tea cups - that was a rather fine night, though, was it not ? (Moves to stage left and adjusts colours and dress).
Was it only a gallon ? I thought someone was despatched to buy a second round ?
I got the next round. Hope you don't mind Midori!
The only facts so far are:
1. One thankfully "safe" ejection and loss of a hull
2. Another damaged aircraft.
The word "mid air" has been used and it is logical to conclude that the second aircraft was damaged at some time during the accident.
Before, during or after, remains yet to be seen.
From another Woomera who just happens to be in Sale today.
The crash site is a couple of miles from the airport.
While I didn't see the accident (although had I been looking in that direction I would have as we were working only a mile or two from the site) a colleague with me watched the event unfold from immediately after the presumed collision.
Appears that the crashed aircraft was moving forward and down relative to the recovered aircraft and that there was a wingtip to wingtip collision ?
The pilot ejected and the aircraft impacted substantially vertically. The remaining team aircraft returned to the airport. There was the usual post-accident ground and helicopter activity in the vicinity of the crash site.
Subsequent information from a colleague in the RAAF suggests that the pilot is fine other than for the normal post-ejection things.
I thought we agreed that red was going to be MY colour, ahhhhhhhhhhh I don't know that's the last time I drink a gallon of port out of a tea cup with you then
Note to all PPRuNers, there are, as you can see, Woomeri everywhere
do do do do.I guess then close formation is not a good place to be when one of them has to bug out.
Indeed, and I solemnly promise to use port as my colour henceforth in deference to your ability to outdrink me when it comes to port out of tea cups - that was a rather fine night, though, was it not ? (Moves to stage left and adjusts colours and dress).
Was it only a gallon ? I thought someone was despatched to buy a second round ?
I got the next round. Hope you don't mind Midori!
Last edited by Woomera; 21st Jan 2005 at 11:15.
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Royal Australian Air Force "Roulettes" Mid-Air Collision
For all those interested:
As reported from "the Age" online news today.
One pilot has been taken to hospital after a mid-air collision involving two RAAF Roulettes aerobatic aircraft.
The incident occured over eastern Victoria around 10.30 EAST this morning during what was believed to have been a training session for an Australia Day display.
Both pilots survived and appeared to have escaped serious injury, a spokesman for Acting Prime Minister John Anderson said.
The spokesman said one of the pilots ejected to safety as his plane crashed to ground and the second pilot managed to land his aircraft.
A spokesman for Victoria's Rural Ambulance Service said the pilot had been taken by road to Sale Hospital with minor injuries.
"We picked up one patient, male, and transported (them) to Sale with minor injuries," a spokeswoman said.
It was unclear if the injured man was one of the pilots.
A Defence Department spokeswoman confirmed the crash, saying one plane had been destroyed when it crashed but that it had missed all civilian property.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) Gippsland regional manager Ian Symons said the crashed plane came down on farm land next to the East Sale RAAF base.
He said at least one CFA crew was at the scene.
"There has been some contact between two planes and one did crash and catch fire," Mr Symons said.
"The pilot of that aircraft ejected safely."
Marge Crank, of Cobains, near Sale, watched as the plane came down on her farm.
"The Roulettes were doing their routine, their practice routine, and one of them just came down in one of the paddocks," Ms Crank told radio station 3AW.
"I heard the bang and saw it crash and just the flames. I haven't got a clue what happened.
"The pilot's okay. I was so glad to see him coming (down with his) parachute.
"He ejected, which is good.
"I ran through the paddock to the pilot and gave him a hug because I was so pleased to see that he was OK."
Ms Crank said the pilot, who came down about 100 metres from the wreckage, apologised to her for crashing.
"(He said) 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry', and he said he was okay."
Mr Anderson said he was relieved both pilots had escaped serious injury.
"The enormously relieving thing is that these people who are obviously valuable in their own right, but who have brought so much pleasure to so many Australians with their spectacular displays, are OK," he told Sky News.
"I hope it (the accident) doesn't delay or impact on their capacity to entertain people for too long," Mr Anderson said.
But he added: "The main thing is that everyone's alive".
Mr Anderson said investigations would determine how the accident occurred.
The accident happened during a training flight at the Roulettes' home base in Sale, about 200 kilometres east of Melbourne.
The Rouletts currently fly the two-seat, single-engine Pilatus PC9/A training aircraft.
There are six Roulettes in the team.
The plane is the basic training aircraft for the Australian Defence Force.
RAAF bases typically have a fire service located at the base.
- with AAP
Can anyone from the East Sale area add to this?
As reported from "the Age" online news today.
One pilot has been taken to hospital after a mid-air collision involving two RAAF Roulettes aerobatic aircraft.
The incident occured over eastern Victoria around 10.30 EAST this morning during what was believed to have been a training session for an Australia Day display.
Both pilots survived and appeared to have escaped serious injury, a spokesman for Acting Prime Minister John Anderson said.
The spokesman said one of the pilots ejected to safety as his plane crashed to ground and the second pilot managed to land his aircraft.
A spokesman for Victoria's Rural Ambulance Service said the pilot had been taken by road to Sale Hospital with minor injuries.
"We picked up one patient, male, and transported (them) to Sale with minor injuries," a spokeswoman said.
It was unclear if the injured man was one of the pilots.
A Defence Department spokeswoman confirmed the crash, saying one plane had been destroyed when it crashed but that it had missed all civilian property.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) Gippsland regional manager Ian Symons said the crashed plane came down on farm land next to the East Sale RAAF base.
He said at least one CFA crew was at the scene.
"There has been some contact between two planes and one did crash and catch fire," Mr Symons said.
"The pilot of that aircraft ejected safely."
Marge Crank, of Cobains, near Sale, watched as the plane came down on her farm.
"The Roulettes were doing their routine, their practice routine, and one of them just came down in one of the paddocks," Ms Crank told radio station 3AW.
"I heard the bang and saw it crash and just the flames. I haven't got a clue what happened.
"The pilot's okay. I was so glad to see him coming (down with his) parachute.
"He ejected, which is good.
"I ran through the paddock to the pilot and gave him a hug because I was so pleased to see that he was OK."
Ms Crank said the pilot, who came down about 100 metres from the wreckage, apologised to her for crashing.
"(He said) 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry', and he said he was okay."
Mr Anderson said he was relieved both pilots had escaped serious injury.
"The enormously relieving thing is that these people who are obviously valuable in their own right, but who have brought so much pleasure to so many Australians with their spectacular displays, are OK," he told Sky News.
"I hope it (the accident) doesn't delay or impact on their capacity to entertain people for too long," Mr Anderson said.
But he added: "The main thing is that everyone's alive".
Mr Anderson said investigations would determine how the accident occurred.
The accident happened during a training flight at the Roulettes' home base in Sale, about 200 kilometres east of Melbourne.
The Rouletts currently fly the two-seat, single-engine Pilatus PC9/A training aircraft.
There are six Roulettes in the team.
The plane is the basic training aircraft for the Australian Defence Force.
RAAF bases typically have a fire service located at the base.
- with AAP
Can anyone from the East Sale area add to this?
Last edited by Say Again! ON TOP; 21st Jan 2005 at 02:57.
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ABC has a pretty comprehensive report here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...m?fp_news_stor
Nice to see the pilot got a big hug from Marge!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...m?fp_news_stor
Nice to see the pilot got a big hug from Marge!
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Shades of another collision, March, 1988:
During display with Channel 10 cameraman in chase aircraft, A7-049 (Roulette 4) reared up and struck the underbelly of A7-054 (Roulette 1). Pilot of 049 ejected. Pilot of 054 (Geoff Trappett) performed gear-up landing at RAAF East Sale. The Roulettes were practising for the Canberra Bicentennial Airshow which was scheduled for Sunday 13th March 1988.
During display with Channel 10 cameraman in chase aircraft, A7-049 (Roulette 4) reared up and struck the underbelly of A7-054 (Roulette 1). Pilot of 049 ejected. Pilot of 054 (Geoff Trappett) performed gear-up landing at RAAF East Sale. The Roulettes were practising for the Canberra Bicentennial Airshow which was scheduled for Sunday 13th March 1988.
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dero clubs encourage this sort of extremely bloody hazardous flying
Hazardous, yes. Extremely? I wouldn't say that. As the RAAF are always keen to point out, the skills applied are the same as taught to all RAAF (and RAN) pilots. "Pretty standard, really..."
I don't know that dero clubs go out of their way to promote it. But at the one club that I know of where form aeros training is available upon request, they seem to apply all the correct training techniques.
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... this sort of extremely bloody hazardous flying ...
), yes, but otherwise I'd have to disagree. Potentially hazardous - yes; extremely bloody hazardous - no. Otherwise it would've been a lot less than 17 years since the last aircraft loss and 21 years since the last fatality.Like most things in aviation, this sort of flying is not inherently dangerous, merely potentially so. There are just more risks that have to be managed and smaller margins for error.
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Having seen both the Roulettes and the US navy Blue angels perform I have to say that the danger money must go to the Americans. Inverted cross overs and every conceivable sort of in formation rolling at ultra low level in their hornets. It is impossible to not be thrilled by their show.
The roulettes are nice to watch but seem to stick to fairly tame formation flying by comparison. Exciting is not what I would call it myself. Pop off anytime and grab a coke and a burger and catch the same formation five minutes later. Hmmmm.
Still, glad they are all safe.
The roulettes are nice to watch but seem to stick to fairly tame formation flying by comparison. Exciting is not what I would call it myself. Pop off anytime and grab a coke and a burger and catch the same formation five minutes later. Hmmmm.
Still, glad they are all safe.