Mechanical Failure Suspected In Accident

Friends and colleagues of Peter "Pip" Borrman will remember him as one of Australia's most accomplished aerobatic pilots. Borrman, 54, was killed Wednesday when his new Pitts Samson crashed during a photo shoot at Shepparton Aerodrome in Kialla.

Julian Fraser told the Australian Associated Press Borrman was performing aerobatics for a photographer at the field, ahead of a planned showing at next month's Australian International Airshow.

"We know he was doing a photo shoot in preparation for Avalon with one of the Melbourne newspapers and he had some sort of mechanical difficulty," Fraser said. "His options were limited and it appears he has had an unsurvivable accident as a result of a forced landing."

Fraser remembered his friend as "an absolute aviation professional," calling him "probably the undisputed aerobatic champion of Australia."

Borrman had last performed before the public at a charity event at Portland, for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The pilot described the event as "awesome" in a posting on his web site.

Police are investigating the accident.

FMI: www.edgeaerobatics.com.au/new/