RIP Ron Bertram President of AOPA; Funeral and Wake details
 

Pilot feared killed in Bankstown crash
April 5, 2006 - 3:06PM

Sydney Morning Herald

One person is believed dead after a light plane crashed at Bankstown Airport in Sydney's south-west.

A Bankstown Airport spokeswoman says the aircraft crashed at 2.45pm (AEST).

The victim's believed to be the pilot of the aircraft.

It's not known whether the fixed-wing aircraft crashed during take-off or landing.

Emergency services are at the scene.



I hope it isn't too bad.....:uhoh:

Ac believed to be a Lancair, departing off 29, apparent loss of power after takeoff

Radio news at 15:00LT reports another aircraft involved, although I gather they meant a parked a/c on ground?
Best wishes for all involved.

The pilot of a light aircraft was killed when his aircraft was torn apart during a "touch and go'' landing exercise at Sydney's Bankstown Airport this afternoon.

Fire Brigades officers say the Lancair 360 crashed at 2.40pm AEDT after losing control on a landing approach to the airport.

A spokesman said: "Our first report said the aircraft had crashed beside a hangar at the aerodrome during a touch and go manoeuvre and was torn apart.

"We are on [the] scene laying a blanket of foam to prevent it from catching fire."

An airport worker, who phoned Radio 2GB and gave his name as Dave, said he saw the aircraft impact into the ground upside down.

The man said the pilot did not stand a chance - "absolutely none, he was going too fast and upside down".

"There were no wings left on it. I believe it was an experimental aircraft."

He said the wind was fine this morning but had picked up to 12-15 knots this afternoon.

Another caller to 2GB said the aircraft nosedived into the ground.

Another caller said he saw the plane take off and the undercarriage retract and it all looked fine and he turned away, then he heard the crash.

An ambulance spokesman said the pilot was a man in his late 40s. His aircraft clipped another on the ground in the crash, he said.

Bankstown Airport spokesman Meredith Laverty said: "Tragically a single-engine aircraft crashed after take-off at approximately 2.45pm.

"There was one person on board. Emergency services are attending and the airport remains open."

The crash happened in the north-west quadrant of the airfield near the helicopters. There was some wreckage on one of the three runways but it has been cleared and all runways are open.

GDay all,
I was on downwind RWY 29R on decent to 1000FT and witnessed the whole event...
Aircraft appeared to loose engine power at what looked about 100FT AGL after takeoff, from what i saw, the pilot turned to the right, and shortly after made contact with the ground, taking out a GFS seminole. I was told by on lookers the engine restarted just before impact. BK was closed and we had to circle before ATC got it undercontrol and allowed arriving aircraft to land. Pilot of the Lanceair died on impact...
Had to give a statement to police.
Dont TURN BACK <500FT AGL!!!!
Aussie

Lancair possibly VH-IVP crashed into Seminol possibly VH-MPC which was on ground parked.

Condolences to friends and family of Lancair pilot. RIP.

Di

Lancair actually VH-ZNZ crashed into Seminol actually VH-MPC which was on ground parked.

Condolences to friends and family of Lancair pilot. RIP.

Di

This is why we never TURN BACK!!! I often wonder though...... It's tempting though when it don't look good in front and you got the whole Airport behind!!!!

My feelings go out to his family.

Jet A1,

Easy said now...

I think its normal Human instinct when in danger to forget and just turn back to safety...

My condolence to the Family. RIP.

Aussie

if runway 18/36 wass till open could he mhave made that?

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

I don't think it's relevant....

My thoughts and condolences go out to his family. RIP mate.

Let's leave out the critisism for the time being.
He was a good man and he leaves behind a loving family.
Thanks for all your help mate. RIP.

Chaps,

Let's find out a bit more detail before we go quarterbacking shall we, there will be plenty of time for that later......

RIP Mate. It was good to know you...:sad:

Mate,

May your happiness shine on.

RIP

A devastating day for his family, and the wider GA community.:(
He will always have my respect and admiration for the tireless work he undertook for the GA industry, often in very difficult circumstances! … an unwavering strength of conviction and purpose, carried though with good humour!
Rest in peace sir!

From the "Australian Newspaper"
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...5E1702,00.html

Crash pilot 'well known in industry'
By Warwick Stanley and Katherine Danks
April 05, 2006
THE pilot of a light plane killed during a take-off exercise in Sydney was one of the Australian aircraft industry's most widely known and popular identities.

Father of two Ron Bertram, who was aged in his early 40s, died on impact when the Lancair 360 kit-made aircraft he was flying crashed on impact in front of horrified onlookers at Bankstown Airport today.

The accident happened about 2.40pm (AEST) as Mr Bertram was practising "touch and gos" – where the pilot almost lands the plane before taking off again.

An Airservices Australia spokesman said he did a steep right-hand turn from a height of about 380m before hitting the ground upside down at high speed.

Friends and colleagues of Mr Bertram paid tribute to a man they said had been helping to bring Australia's "balkanised" aircraft industry together.


Mr Bertram was a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer and instructor pilot who was the serving president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

"He was a very, very experienced commercial, light and ultra-light pilot with thousands of flying hours," said AOPA vice president Bob Nash.

"He was also one of the good guys. He had remarkable achievements behind him for someone so young.

"He had been in the process of bringing together Australian aircraft interests across the board, and his reputation can be gauged on the calls we received after the accident.

"We've already had people like the chief of CASA Bruce Byron, federal minister Warren Truss and Airservices chief Greg Russell say what a tragic loss this is."

Rest in Peace Ron.

tipsy

I myself and a flying collegue witnessed the crash and later visited the crash site itself.

My deepest regards go to Ron's family, may he rest in peace

My condolences to his family.

RIP Ron. AFTS will miss you.


D6

I had only encounters with Ron: sharing the AOPA stand with him for the seven days of Avalon, the two days of the AOPA roadshow at Lilydale and a good meal with him on the first night.

It was enough for me to know he was a special bloke who - no matter what you thought of his politics - deserved every amount of respect he earned. AOPA took up so much of his time and he gave it willingly. Who would have thought he had so little left?

See you, mate, and thanks.

Walrus
AOPA Member