Aviation Photograph

That story is total “smack”. Paul unnecessarily chose to fly in conditions, that were stipulated on the TAF. Such as PROB 30 TEMPO for gusty winds / hail etc. At the time of his flight it was already gusting 33 knots on the AWIS. There was the perfect opportunity to conduct the flight in still conditions the following morning. This is where an EGO overrides a sound risk assessment. Whether he forgot to lower the gear entirely or lowered the gear handle, without checking cockpit indicators and wing mounted popup indicators, both indicate one thing: PILOT ERROR. And in the process Ross Pay has to deal with a trashed aircraft. And during the test flight of VH-IXF a month earlier, there were no gear issues or anomalies. It was pilot error, and yes, none of us are immune to pilot error. But flying in adverse conditions unnecessarily and poor risk assessment protocols, mixed with ego and arrogance, increases the possibility of the completion of the error chain.

Similar happened back in 2017 when Peter Clements trashed the Corsair at the Hunter Valley Airshow. Again Pete failed to conduct adequate pre landing checks, and verify correct gear extension position.

Thank god he is ok, there was no post impact fire.

It was Paul Bennet from Paul Bennet Airshows, he forgot to lower the gear. BIG MISTAKE. Aircraft was owned by Pays Air Service. VH-IXF. Such a shame, huge structural and prop damage, with 20 hours on it after restoration.