Gliding Incident – 28 Jul 2023

Gliding Australia regrets to advise that a member of Caboolture Gliding Club flying a powered PA-25 Pawnee towplane aircraft was involved in a fatal accident on Caboolture aerodrome at 1034 on Friday 28th July.

The PA-25 Pawnee towplane was on approach to land at Caboolture when it was involved in a mid-air collision with a Jabiru recreational aircraft that had recently taken off. This led to the Jabiru aircraft experiencing a fatal crash landing claiming two lives. The Pawnee towplane pilot was able to execute a go-around and make an emergency landing. The pilot is currently cooperating with authorities, aiding in their inquiries and investigations.

Club members provided immediate response and assistance until Emergency Services attended the accident scene. The towplane pilot is highly experienced in both gliding and powered aircraft flight, and local Caboolture operational practices.

Our thoughts are foremost with the family and friends of the Jabiru pilot and passenger, the towplane pilot, and members of the Caboolture Gliding Club and the broader Caboolture community. We extend our deepest sympathies and concern for their welfare. Gliding Australia is prepared to offer all necessary support to the accident investigators as they carry out their specialised investigations.

Gliding Australia POC: Lindsay Mitchell 0419280811 vp@glidingaustralia.org