Runway Accident Claims Tom Moon

Noted Australian aerobatic pilot Tom Moon was lost Tuesday morning when his Extra 300 crashed on the runway at Temora Airport, in the Riverina region of New South Wales.

The Daily Telegraph reports Moon was killed when fire engulfed his plane at about 10:30 am local time. It wasn't clear whether the plane was taking off or landing when it crashed.

Moon, an accountant by trade, was the former president of the Australian Aerobatic Club and was serving as treasurer of the Temora Aviation Museum located at the airport.

He earned his pilot license in 1986 and had competed in aerobatic events worldwide since 1988. He won the Australian National Aerobatic Championships in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003, according to Moon's biography on the Temora museum Web site, and competed at three World Championships.

"It seems impossible but these things can happen I guess," said current Australian Aerobatic Club president Paul Bennet. "He was very experienced, very skilled.
"There's not really very many like him in the country."

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the accident.

FMI: www.aviationmuseum.com.au