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Aviation Icon Col Pay Lost in Crash (Merged)
From the ABC:
Plane plunges into lake, 1 missing Posted December 7, 2007 10:07:00 One person is missing after a light plane crash in the New South Wales Hunter Valley. The Ambulance Service says the plane crashed into Lake Liddel, 25 kilometres north of Singleton, just after 9:00am (AEDT). It is not known if there were any other people on board. |
SMH has this:
SMH One missing in plane crash Dylan Welch December 7, 2007 - 10:33AM Two men escaped unhurt but one man is missing after a plane crashed into a lake near Muswellbrook today. The yellow plane had been skimming the water at Lake Liddel near the New England Highway about 9.15am when it crashed into the lake, an Ambulance Service spokeswoman said. "Two people have now got out of the plane uninjured and there's a third person that is missing,'' she said. |
Word is that it is VH-LIS.
AT802 Not sure how/if more than one occupant? Di :( |
Surely that can't be right - how would you fit three into an AT802?!
DF. |
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Speculation only at this stage, and (as usual) there have been a whole pile of inconsistencies in media reporting thus far. :(
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Vale Colin Pay
Reading the SMH report I think that Harley and Neville have effectively let the cat out of the bag and confirmed it:
Col died in the accident this morning. The two people seen swimming at the wreckage were two of Pay's engineers, observing the trials from a boat. Pay was alone in the aircraft, VH-LIS. I am only one of the many many pilots who owe their career to Pay. Like all at Scone and many further afield, lost for words. :sad: |
Police divers are searching Lake Liddell in the Hunter Valley, for a man missing after a light plane crash. The missing man is believed to be the pilot, who's aged in his 70s. Penelope Little, from the Ambulance Service, says the aircraft came during an aerial photography mission. “Two males have been able to get out of the plane,” she said. “They got to shore and are currently with ambulance officers and a third male is still unaccounted for.” Penelope (?) should have checked her facts before saying anything to anyone. How could they have gotten this so wrong? The press are all in such a hurry to get the scoop - they just print what they are told without checking it out. Disgracefull. Condolences to Col's family and the multitude of friends. Di :( |
Plane crashes during film shoot (Australia)
A PLANE crashed into a lake in the NSW Hunter region this morning as it was being filmed for promotional purposes.
An Australian Search and Rescue (ASAR) spokeswoman told NEWS.com.au only one person was believed to be on-board the converted fire-bomber when it crashed into Lake Liddell, northwest of Singleton, around 9.30am (AEDT). Earlier reports said two people were on-board and one had survived. The ASAR spokeswoman said the male pilot is believed to have been killed and is still inside the aircraft, which is stuck in mud about 10m below the lake's surface. "NSW Police are sending a dive team from Sydney," the spokewoman said. "(The plane is) inverted in mud." The spokeswoman said it was believed people aboard a boat on the lake had been shooting a promotional film when the plane crashed. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified of the crash and is expceted to begin an investigation later today |
Col Pay Feared Dead
From News.com
AN agricultural pilot with more than 50 years' experience is feared dead after a light aircraft crashed into a lake in the NSW Hunter region. Police said a man in his 70s was missing after the plane went down at Lake Liddell, northwest of Singleton, at 9.40am (AEDT) today. The plane was believed to have crashed while being filmed for promotional reasons. Scone Aero Club president Neville Partridge said the pilot of the plane was Col Pay, a water bomber pilot and crop-duster from Scone. He had more than half a century of flying experience, Mr Partridge said. "Without doubt, he was one of the most experienced pilots," he said. "He was flying an agricultural-type plane when it happened." Police divers search the lake today. There was initial confusion over how many people were on board the plane when it crashed, with ambulance services saying earlier that two passengers had swum ashore. But a spokeswoman for Pay's Air Service later said Mr Pay was the only person in the plane. She was unable to say what work Mr Pay was carrying out at the time. An Air Services Australia (ASA) spokeswoman said the plane, a fire-bomber Air Tractor model AT 8T usually used for water bombing, was licensed to carry two people. Pay's Air Service carries out fire-spotting and bushfire water-bombing out of Scone and Moree, according to the company website. Chief executive of the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia, Phil Hurst, said he understood the aircraft involved in the crash was a two-seater, but he was unsure how many people were aboard. Lets hope he is OK. One hell of a legend in Australia |
Check Rumours & News - established thread there.
:( [URL="http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=303516"] |
I will hold out hope while there is hope. I simply cannot believe what I am reading.
Prayers are going up. ABX |
From ABC...
"It was an aircraft practicing picking up water ... it was a firefighting aircraft," Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said. "It's touched the surface of the lake, flipped over and sank." |
Very very sad news if true. If it is a consolation, he was doing what he loved most in the world.
I first met Col doing what most pilots do at the end of a long day, two blokes in an empty hotel bar having a quiet one before dinner. I had heard all of the legends but was unprepared for this very self effacing and humble guy, no big watch and big ego, just crisp casual shirt, moleys and boots. In fact we had been idle chit chatting for some time before I made the connection. It was one of the most memorable nights of my life. He gave a lot of people in aviation a huge amount of pleasure. |
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From the ABC: Story and file pics.
Police divers are trying to recover the body of a 75-year-old pilot who died when his light plane smashed into a lake in the New South Wales Upper Hunter Valley this morning. The Air Tractor 802 aircraft was performing a water-skimming exercise over Lake Liddell, near Muswellbrook, when it hit the water and crashed at about 9:15am AEDT. The aircraft was seen skimming across the water before it went down and disappeared into the lake about 100 metres from the shoreline. The pilot, who is believed to be well-known in the Hunter Valley aviation community, was unable to escape the plane. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said the plane was practicing scooping up water as part of practice drills ahead of the bushfire season. Penelope Little from the Ambulance Service says paramedics tried to reach the man who was still in the plane, but were unsuccessful due to the depth of the water. The wreckage came to rest 10 metres down. It is unclear whether the pilot was working for the New South Wales Fire Brigade or the Rural Fire Service. "It was an aircraft practicing picking up water ... it was a firefighting aircraft," Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said. "It's touched the surface of the lake, flipped over and sank." The Air Transport Safety Bureau is investigating. RIP, ABX |
Never had the pleasure of meeting the man, I diknow of him though.
RIP Condolences to all :sad: |
Condolences to the family and friends of a legend of Australian aviation. I only met him a couple of times but he was a gent and as Gaunty said a very humble man. A sad day indeed, just doesn't sound true....
RIP |
Sad news
Colin Pay was a great aviator who often achieved what was considered impossible. Looks like he was still doing it.
I believe he was the man who re-engined the Fletcher agplane with the 400 hp Lycoming. An inovator to his last day, at age 75. I respect this man, and am saddened by his passing. |
I was lucky enough to meet Col just a few months ago at Scone. Although busy, he still took the time for a yarn with a bloke that just wandered into his hangar and showed me around the rest of his aircraft in another. As others have said, a gentleman. The industry is all the poorer for his passing. Sincere condolences to Col's family.
Vale, Col, RIP |
A great man lost. My thoughts are with Ross and the family.
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I'm completley lost for words. Fly high, mate :{:{:{
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No WAY! I read this thread with disbelief and great sadness... As others have said - he died doing what he loved most.
Thank you Col for sharing your planes and skill with all of Australia. I still have fond memories of venturing into your hangar with awe and looking over the machines hiding there. Later, I enjoyed sharing the experience with select students as we stopped at Scone on a cross-country. Later still I enjoyed listening to you talk with one of my boss's as you discussed your precious warbirds. Rest In Peace Ozzie Legend! |
Never had the chance to meet the man personally, but am aware of his reputation and i have watched his displays over the years with admiration.
If its any consolation i guess he died doing what he (we) loved. Condolences to those closest. RIP. (edited for a misunderstanding) |
..........Col is not dead as such, he's just not contactable anymore. His work, his enthusiasm, his love of just chattinng the the man in the street about planes will always live on in our hearts & minds. What we see of his work is thru his eyes. He paved the way for others to just simply look & admire the dreams of one very determined man.
We salute you you Col for we are better off for having you grace the skies in which we now enjoy as our own playground:-) RIP CP Capt Wally :-( |
Well said Capt Wally
RIP Col |
For the last time...
...Col was no relation to Judy.
Judy is a great bird and was married to a bloke called Alan Pay, who was also no relation. Col is survived by his wonderful wife Diane, son Ross and two daughters - Helen and (I think) Maryanne. Thoughts with the family tonight. :sad: |
...and he was 75?...why is this allowed?
And I mean no disrespect to anyone, let alone his family. But, the question has to be asked! :confused: |
Col, mate I cannot believe it. A great Aviator, a true gentleman, how much enjoyment you gave us all with your wonderful warbirds. We are in shock, as much of the Australian Aviation scene must be tonight. Fly in peace mate, on your last circuit, God Bless, and our thoughts are with your family.
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Col Pay
My sincere Condolence to his Family.
He was a legend of the industry in his lifetime and will be remembered. Tmb |
.........am sure Col's age wasn't a contributing factor to this sad event.Can't say that 100% certain obviously but when can you in aviation?
I know another guy who is in his 80's that flies on a regular basis & could fly the pants off most of us in here. As far as I can understand Col was trying out technics that involved very low flying over a body of water taking onboard water as he flew along for the use of fire suppression. Sounds like he hit the water during one of these attempts & the immediate drag from that caused the A/C to pitch over & abruptly come to rest inverted where it sank quickly. If this info is incorrect then I stand corrected & I only heard about on the news but it does sound plausable & something that Col would be trying to achieve for the benifit of others. Col yr 'wing's now are truely there forever!:-) Capt Wally |
....slip on over to the other D&G forum where you will find disbelief !
capt Wally :-( |
From speaking to the witnesses:
the RH wheel & ski was significantly lower in the water than the LH as he did his 2nd run. The Skis has an intake on the bottom and a hose fitted to the top which fed into the hopper. from the video hi RH ski made a -ve AoA at some point and dug in Flipped onto nose & spun to the right - stopped hard. ATSB were due to get here about 7pm tonight. Up to them. :sad: :( Col's age not a factor. No disrespect Amos2 but I did my LL Aero's renewal with him 6 months ago and I would bet he would have whipped you. := |
Tnxs Bendo for adding to what I heard in more detail.
Clever and an adventious boy was Col, with that comes risks, maybe someone can continue his efforts so Col can live on:-) capt Wally |
RIP Mr Pay - An Aussie Aviation Icon - condolances to family and friends
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...and he was 75?...why is this allowed? :rolleyes: |
Some days it is not worth reading a newspaper or for that matter PPRuNe.
Tipsy is a sad cat today. R.I.P Col tipsy.:{ |
I recall a Jeff Watson video featuring Col afew years ago where Jeff said to him, some thing like, "you must feel like the luckiest man in the world to own a Mustang and a Spitfire".
The laconic reply was " ya, the harder I work, the luckier I get...!". RIP. |
Very sad indeed...last saw Col 5 years ago picking the Bo up from Scone...He gave me the guided tour of his toy shed.
To have lasted 50 years at Ag flying says all that needs to be said about a brilliant pair of hands and an enthusiastic and enquiring mind...he was the living embodiment of the term 'Aviator' and represented everything that is good and true in this industry. Australian aviation is poorer today. |
According the the 5pm news on channel Ten, Col's body has been recovered and the wreckage of the aircraft will shortly be recovered as well.
Australian aviation is poorer today. |
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