Wedderburn, Australia: A veteran Australian aerobatic pilot was killed after two light aircraft collided mid-air during a formation flight near Napperfield Airfield in Wedderburn, southwest of Sydney, on November 30, 2025, authorities confirmed.
Both aircraft involved were Van’s RV-7 single-engine planes participating in a four-aircraft formation flight. The collision occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time as the group was returning to land.
One aircraft crashed into nearby bushland and was destroyed on impact. Emergency services reached the scene shortly after but pronounced the pilot dead at the site. The second aircraft, despite suffering damage, managed to land safely at the airfield, and its pilot was not injured.
The deceased pilot was identified as Eddie Seve, a highly regarded aerobatic flyer and the founder of the Freedom Formation Display Team, one of Australia’s best-known civilian precision-flying groups. Seve was the sole occupant of the aircraft that crashed.
Eyewitnesses told investigators that the planes were flying in close proximity moments before the collision. One witness told reporters that one aircraft appeared to pull away moments before impact, followed by a loud bang.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched a formal investigation into the accident. Investigators will examine the wreckage, review flight-tracking data, maintenance records, pilot qualifications, and weather conditions at the time of the incident. Police established multiple cordons around both the crash site and the airfield to assist with the investigation.
Tributes poured in from across the aviation community following confirmation of Seve’s death. Fellow pilots and aviation organisations described him as a dedicated mentor and a key figure in promoting formation flying and youth participation in aviation. Seve had recently performed at the Gold Coast Airshow, highlighting his active role in the aerobatics circuit.
Authorities have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or captured video footage to assist the investigation as efforts continue to determine the precise cause of the mid-air crash.
