Aircraft midair in south-west Sydney

[Ryan Hothersall]

In a situation like this the media will try and say this or that caused the crash.

Blaming the pilot of the second aircraft that managed to land safely because he is 89 is not on if you ask me. Yes he is a senior citizen of this country, and has to pass tests to keep his licence.

His experiences flying spitfires (and on occasion flying them with bits and pieces shot off) would have helped him to land.

[David Ramsay]

His experiences flying spitfires (and on occasion flying them with bits and pieces shot off) would have helped him to land.

Nothing beats experience when you are in the $#!t.

[Nigel C]

It's one thing I remember getting taught in flying training was to try and keep any passengers calm during an emergency by reassuring them you'd practiced that scenario many times before.

You can almost picture the 89 year old instructor turns to his understandably terrified student and saying calmly "No need to panic, I've done this many times before..."
Hats off to him for getting his machine down safely.

[steve k]

Sad loss and my condolences go out to all affected, bearing in mind, it could have been a lot worse, on the ground and in the air. Thankfully it was not and thanks to the veteran instructor who saved a situation which could have been even worse. steve k

[Matt R]

http://atsb.gov.au/publications/inve...081_prelim.pdf

http://www.smh.com.au/national/midai...0224-8gh1.html