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Jets collided before fatal dive - report
TO THE WORLD Photos: Yanni
AXEL JAKE
RHYS HUDSON BLAKE
Parents: Ellen Fraser & Jake Connelly Birth date: 15.01.2024 Birth weight: 2600gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
Parents: Rowena & Matt Birth date: 16.01.2024 Birth weight: 3820gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
ARCHIE TIGER
OLIVER TANSEY Parents: Alyssa & Brad Birth date: 16.01.2024 Birth weight: 2600gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
Parents: Zoe Ellis & Maverick Wiebenga Birth date: 16.01.2024 Birth weight: 3657gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
A PRELIMINARY report into an accident between two jet trainer aircraft over Port Phillip, off the coast of Mount Martha, has noted the wings of the aircraft collided during a mid-air manouvre. On 19 November 2023, a pair of SIAI Marchetti S-211 aircraft were conducting an aerobatic formation filming flight when they came into contact, with one of the two aircraft then crashing into the water below, fatally injuring both occupants. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released the preliminary report which provides factual information from the early evidence gathering phase of the “no blame” transport safety investigation, ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said. “It does not include any analysis or findings, which will be detailed in the final report we will release at the conclusion of the investigation,” he said. The preliminary report notes the S-211s, both former military aircraft used for pilot training, had left Essendon in what was designated ‘Viper formation’. Viper 1, the lead aircraft, was carrying a pilot and safety pilot, while Viper 2 was carrying a pilot and camera operator. “As discussed in the pre-flight briefing, the pilots’ first planned manoeuvre involved Viper 1 flying inverted, straight and level, so Viper 2 could move alongside it, upright, to then manoeuvre as required to maintain separation and conduct filming,” Mitchell said. During the second attempt at this manoeuvre, when Viper 1 rolled inverted, the pilot of Viper 2 passed below and to the left of Viper 1. “The safety pilot in Viper 1 observed Viper 2 pass beneath and alerted the pilot of Viper 1 to the manoeuvre,” Mitchell said. “Afterwards, the pilot of Viper 2 advised the
pilot of Viper 1 that it provided a good filming opportunity, and asked to repeat it.” After the pilots discussed this manoeuvre, they decided to attempt it again. “On this next attempt, after Viper 2 passed beneath, it began to pitch up and bank away from Viper 1, and the right wings of each aircraft collided,” Mitchell said. Video footage taken from fixed cameras on board Viper 1 showed that as the aircraft collided, the outer right wing structure of Viper 2 immediately failed, with deformation to the forward wing spar and separation of the lower wing skin. The right aileron control system also appeared to be significantly damaged. Witnesses observed Viper 2 hit the water in a near-vertical, nose down attitude. The aircraft was extensively damaged and came to rest on the floor of the bay at a depth of 24 metres. Viper 1 was able to return to Essendon, having sustained only minor damage. “Several impact marks and paint transfers from Viper 2 were present on the upper surface of Viper 1’s right wing, and its landing light cover was shattered,” Mitchell said. As the ATSB’s investigation progresses, it will include consideration of formation flying procedures and practices, further analysis of recorded video and audio, a review of the category of operation, and a range of other investigative activities. “A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation, but if we identify a critical safety issue during the course of the investigation, we will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.” Family and friends of the deceased pilot Stephen Gale and James Rose, a skilled cameraman, have been remembered as respected and well liked in their fields.
Police patrol
With Liz Bell
Teens arrested over pier push
GURSHAAN SINGH Parents: Rajbir Kaur & Lavdeep Singh Dhillon Birth date: 16.01.2024 Birth weight: 3290gms Born at: Frankston Hospital
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Mornington News
23 January 2024
TWO teenagers have been arrested after a group of three were involved in an incident at Mornington Pier last on Sunday 14 January, where an elderly man was allegedly pushed into the water. A 17-year-old, from Hastings, was arrested on Wednesday and a 14-year-old, from Stony Point, allegedly already on bail, was charged earlier in the week with reckless endangerment and unlawful assault. It has been reported the 14-year-old was allegedly involved in an attack on a woman in Hastings last November and was charged and bailed. The group had allegedly filmed the act and could be heard laughing and egging each other on in an online video. The three are believed to be from the Hastings and Somerville areas and have been named on social media. The 79-year-old man, said to be still shaken by the experience, cannot swim and had to be pulled from the water by onlookers. Mornington MP Chris Crewther said more resources were needed for “proactive” policing.
All aboard for safety FRANKSTON railway station was targeted dur-
ing a three-day police operation. Between 9 and 11 January, police dedicated more resources to Frankston, Lilydale, and Werribee train stations. They made seven arrests over the three days - a 35-year-old Frankston man was arrested for breaching an intervention order, and a 25-year-old Frankston North woman was arrested for theft. The other arrests were a 26-year-old Knoxfield woman for breaching an intervention order, a 35-year-old Woori Yallock man for three outstanding warrants, a 33-year-old Benalla woman for theft, a 29-year-old Point Cook man for an outstanding whereabouts and theft, and a 41-yearold Newcomb man for two outstanding warrants. Victoria Police transit safety division senior sergeant Anthony Murphy said “this highly visible operation was about boosting safety in and around several of our major public transport hubs – including Frankston railway station – and sending a clear message that crime will not be tolerated.” “Our top priority is keeping the community safe so we will continue to run targeted operations like this to detect and deter offending,” he said.
