On Sunday, an experienced pilot tragically lost his life when the plane he constructed crashed during an air show in Adelaide.
Roger Stokes, aged 73, was executing a demonstration for a large audience at the annual Classic Aircraft display when his replica Spitfire plunged below the horizon around 2:00 pm (ACST).
The aircraft collided with a fence on Frost Road in Salisbury, narrowly avoiding a busy soccer field and nearby residences.
Many attendees witnessed the incident as hundreds gathered for the event.
“I saw it disappear behind the trees and thought he was too low to recover,” recounted one observer.
“I assumed it must have crashed.”
An investigation into the crash’s cause will be conducted by the Air Transport Safety Bureau.
Authorities indicated that they would maintain a presence at the site throughout Sunday night and will compile a report for the Coroner.
Emergency Services cordoned off the surrounding roads, urging witnesses to reach out at 131 444.
