What happened
On 17 March 2013, the owner-pilot of an amateur-built scale-replica Spitfire aircraft (VH-VSF) was participating in an air display at Parafield Airport, South Australia. The pilot performed a number of airborne passes above the runways in various directions and completed the display with a slow speed pass at 400 ft with the landing gear and some wing flap extended. Towards the end of this pass the pilot radioed the tower to coordinate a landing and accepted runway 21 Left with an 11 kt crosswind. By now the pilot had turned right and the Spitfire was near the extended runway centreline and 1 km from the runway threshold at a slow speed. A left turn was then observed and, soon after, a wing dropped and the aircraft entered a steep descent. The aircraft crashed in a factory car park, fatally injuring the pilot and substantially damaging the aircraft.
What the ATSB found
The ATSB found that while coordinating a landing clearance with air traffic control and flying a low level circuit with a close downwind and base in turbulent conditions, the pilot inadvertently allowed the airspeed to decay. In the subsequent turn (downwind) to adjust the circuit the aircraft aerodynamically stalled, descended steeply, and impacted the ground. The aircraft was prone to aerodynamically stall with little or no aerodynamic precursors and it was not fitted with a stall warning device, increasing the risk of inadvertent stall.
Safety message
Flying in an air display is different to normal operations and places additional demands on a pilot. Pilots who participate in air displays should consider the demands involved and to the extent possible ensure that the complete sequence, including landing, is planned and rehearsed. Although amateur-built aircraft operated in the experimental category are not required to be fitted with a stall warning device (preferably with aural output), owner-pilots should consider the benefits of such devices as a last line of defense against stalling.
Accident report: http://www.atsb.gov.au
Roger Stokes, picture in an ABC Mildura news report on his replica WWII Spitfire
Mr. Stokes - a World War II aircraft enthusiast - built the plane from a kit seven years ago.
Police investigators at the scene of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XXVI (Replica), VH-VSF, plane crash, which killed pilot Roger Stokes, in Salisbury. 
Police investigators at the scene of replica WWII Spitfire plane crash, which killed pilot Roger Stokes, in Salisbury. 
The wreckage of Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XXVI (Replica), VH-VSF, after it crashed in Salisbury, in Adelaide's north. The crash killed its pilot Roger Stokes. 
The remains of a replica World War II Spitfire plane that crashed at Frost Rd, in Salisbury, while it was flying as part of the Classic Jets airshow. 
Firefighters with the wreckage of the replica Spitfire which crashed in the RM Williams factory's carpark on Frost Road, Salisbury. 
Emergency services at the scene of the crash on Frost Road, Salisbury.A pilot has been killed when his replica World War II Spitfire plane crashed between two businesses in Adelaide's northern suburbs, narrowly missing a soccer match.
Police said Roger Stokes, 73, of Monarto, died when his seven-year-old plane, a replica of the Mark XXVI Spitfire, crashed into a fence on Frost Rd, Salisbury, just before 2pm.
Relatives have been advised of Mr Stokes' death.
The fence runs between two adjoining businesses, which were both closed at the time.
The plane, powered by an Isuzu truck engine, went nose-down and crashed in the carpark of the RM Williams factory, about 200 metres from people playing soccer on a nearby field.
Mr Stokes had brought his aircraft to Adelaide for the Classic Jets airshow at Parafield Airport. While he was a Monarto resident, his plane was based in Murray Bridge.
About 5000 people at the airshow watched the plane go down before hearing an announcement over the public address system that there had been an accident.
The remainder of the air show was cancelled. Its organizer, Parafield Classic Jet museum director Bob Jarrett, could not be contacted for comment.
About 30 privately owned exotic, classic and vintage planes were participating in the air show, which was held to raise funds to restore a World War II American Corsair fighter retrieved from Vanuatu.
A selection of the old planes made a flypast at 11.30am to commemorate 103 years since the first powered flight in South Australia.
Aerial display pilot Chris Sperou - multiple winner of the Australian Aerobatic Championship - was due to perform his own aerobatics in a Supastinker biplane.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the South Australia Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will conduct an investigation into the crash and police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Story, photos, video: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au
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