Red Bull Air Race plane crashes into Swan River

[StevePER]

A RED Bull aircraft has crashed into the Swan River.
Emergency services are on their way to the scene on the South Perth foreshore side of the river.

The plane apparently crashed at 11.53am, but early reports indicate the pilot has escaped unscathed.

Witness Paul Bowler said the plane was flying low when it suddenly crashed into the water.

"We just saw this big splash," he told PerthNow. "And then all these boats rushed to the plane. We can still see it floating in the water."

PerthNow

 

[mannej]

Word is that it is the Brazilian pilot, and he has minor injuries.

 

[Travel Guru]

I was on the foreshore watching them practice when it happened, he was flying low and looks like he just couldn't get it to pull up in time...was a bit scary to watch but glad he's okay.

TG

 

[markis10]

Saw the replay on one of the current affairs shows tonight, he was very lucky, leveled up before essentially ditching.

 

[opusman]

So I guess it doesn't give you wings after all!

 

[serfty]

So I guess it doesn't give you wings after all!

Maybe Floaties ...

(note that if the unplanned landing had been fatal, I would not be so flippant.)

 

[v8Statesman]

Raw Footage

YouTube - rdm1965's Channel


Note: Profanity warning.

 

[samh004]

Raw Footage

YouTube - rdm1965's Channel

Note: Profanity warning.

Several reports on the news said the plane went in upside down, and it certainly looks that way from the footage (I think I can see the wheels sticking up), but the onboard cam footage I saw on the news last night seemed to suggest it went in right way up.

Also looks like the pilot ended up quite far away from the a/c immediately following the ditch, assuming the jet skiers went for the pilot.

 

[markis10]

Several reports on the news said the plane went in upside down, and it certainly looks that way from the footage (I think I can see the wheels sticking up), but the onboard cam footage I saw on the news last night seemed to suggest it went in right way up.

Also looks like the pilot ended up quite far away from the a/c immediately following the ditch, assuming the jet skiers went for the pilot.

Sam, thats usually the response of people not familiar with ditching as far as the reports go, he was wings level and not inverted when he hit and the undercarriage drag in the water forced the aircraft to turn on its nose, effectively the gear acted like anchors!

Have a look at the same images slowed down here, the commentary confirms what I posted:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rR68OIpcX4

 

[Grooba]

I was on the foreshore watching them practice when it happened, he was flying low and looks like he just couldn't get it to pull up in time...was a bit scary to watch but glad he's okay.

TG

I was watching some practice flights from my room at the CP about 20 minutes before the crash. Was hoping to watch the entire afternoon but unfortunately work got in the way! Would have been pretty sureal to see happen in front of your eyes I would think... Fortunately the pilot came through it relatively unscathed.

 

[samh004]

Sam, thats usually the response of people not familiar with ditching as far as the reports go, he was wings level and not inverted when he hit and the undercarriage drag in the water forced the aircraft to turn on its nose, effectively the gear acted like anchors!

Have a look at the same images slowed down here, the commentary confirms what I posted:

YouTube - Red Bull Air Race Crash, Perth, April 15, 2010

That would make sense, which is why I always think a water landing in a jet would be pretty hard, assuming those big engines create the same amount of drag.

On looking at the video in slow motion I can see what you mean, I guess I just got confused by the on-board camera shot that didn’t show the point at which the a/c flipped.