NSW: RNZAF pulls out of Avalon Airshow

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2001
NSW: RNZAF pulls out of Avalon Airshow

SYDNEY, Feb 17 AAP - The Royal New Zealand Air Force late today issued a statement
saying it would not participate in the Avalon airshow following yesterday's fatal Skyhawk
fighter jet crash.

A senior RNZAF pilot died when his jet ploughed into the ground during exercises near
Nowra, on NSW's south coast.

Squadron Leader Murray Neilson, 37, from Wellington, New Zealand, died when his aircraft
failed to pull out of an aerobatic sequence near the Nowra navy base, HMAS Albatross about
3pm (AEDT) yesterday.

"The decision to withdraw was made after careful consideration of all the risks involved,
including the very early and inconclusive stage of the investigation and the emotional
impact on pilots and ground crew as a result of the crash," Air Officer Commanding, John
Hamilton, said.

The RNZAF said a Skyhawk exercise, Exercise Ocean Protector, due to begin on Monday,
was also under review.

Squadron Leader Neilson, of the RNZAF's Number 2 Squadron, had been training for an
aerobatic show at Avalon, near Melbourne, today.

Australian Defence Force spokesman Tim Bloomfield today said that while the New Zealand
team would conduct their investigation, they would be helped by their Australian counterparts.

"They will certainly be helped by the Australian airforce accident and investigation
team. There will be close consultation," Mr Bloomfield said.

"Obviously the accident investigation teams will liaise closely with the Royal Australian
Airforce and Navy investigation teams as well."

Today's sessions of the airshow were dedicated to Squadron Leader Neilson.

AAP aa/jnb/br

KEYWORD: SKYHAWK LEAD

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