TIGER MOTH CRASH CLAIMS DAD’S LIFE
A THRILLSEEKING 58-yearold died as his daughter watched on and a young pilot was seriously injured yesterday in the Gold Coast’s second fatal Tiger Moth crash involving the same business in two years.
NSW train driver Gary Turnbull is believed to have been killed instantly when the World War II era aircraft slammed into a paddock at Pimpama about 9am shortly after taking off on a joy flight.
His daughter Ruby was at the Tiger Moth Joy Rides airfield when the tragedy happened.
Police said pilot Ryan Campbell, 21 – the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world – rang triple-0 on a mobile phone before the crash.
He had to be cut from the wreckage before being flown by rescue helicopter to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital with serious spinal injuries.
Mr Turnbull, married with two daughters, was visiting the Gold Coast from his northern NSW home at Coutts Crossing, near Grafton.
His death has shocked the small community. “It’s terrible news,’’ one Coutts Crossing local said.
“We’ve known him for ages and he’s a lovely bloke. We see him and his family around town all the time.’’
Mr Campbell, of Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, began flying at 14. He told how he was inspired by his greatgrandfather, who once flew with pioneer aviator Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith.
In 2013, Mr Campbell became the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world, piloting a Cessna through 15 countries on a 70-day odyssey.
Tiger Moth Joy Rides only relaunched in May after the business was taken over by new operators following a fatal crash in December 2013.
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau initial report found the left wing had failed soon after commencing an acrobatic manoeuvre off South Stradbroke Island.