Peter Doutch with his daughter Emily.
The victim of a microlight plane crash, Peter Doutch, was a generous man who spent his spare time helping children with disabilities.
The father of two, who died after a microlight aircraft crashed into a Tyabb home on Sunday night, spent 15 years donating his time and karaoke equipment to entertain children with muscular dystrophy.
Mr Doutch was dubbed Mr Karaoke by the MD community for his role as a host at their karaoke night.
Muscular Dystrophy Australia’s Executive Director, Boris M Struk said Mr Doutch was inspired to help after he was involved with printing the newsletter for the support group.
“He was always the first to lend a hand or crack a joke to make you smile,” Mr Struk said.
He said that Mr Doutch had driven hundreds of kilometres to be involved in more than 25 respite camps for children.
“He would set up his equipment and sing a few songs to get everyone up, he had a great voice,” Mr Struk said.
“His daughter Emily is an absolute little honey; she’d get up on the dance floor when he was singing.”
Emily, 5 , remains in a critical but stable condition in the Royal Children’s Hospital.
He said he remembers Mr Doutch singing Ronan Keating’s love song, ‘When you say nothing at all’ to his wife Sue.
“Years ago I asked Peter why he came to CampMDA and he likened the experience to helping just one of a thousand little turtles washed up on the beach, by helping just one find its way back in the water you know you made a huge difference its life.
“Although you may not be able to save them all, you can make a difference to one at least.”
Mr Stuk said the entire MD community offered its condolences to his wife, Sue and their family.
http://www.gloucestercitynews.net
Peter Doutch
Members of the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) are mourning the death of Peter Doutch, 44, an SES volunteer, who was killed when his ultralight aircraft crashed into a house at Tyabb, south-east of Melbourne on Sunday.
Mr Doutch's five-year-old daughter, who was also in the ultralight, was critically injured in the crash and is being treated at the Royal Children's Hospital.
Witnesses saw the trike flying very low over the house on Seaview Road near the Tyabb Airport before it crashed.
Frankston SES controller Brian McMannis says the death has come as a huge shock.
"When you're a volunteer with the SES and you have been for such a long time you become part of the SES family," he said.
"It's just like losing one of your own family members when this sort of thing happens. We're still in a state of shock."
Mr McMannis says Mr Doutch had flown with both of his children.
"They both love to go up with him and it's just unfortunate that he had one of them with him last night," he said.
Mr Doutch was described as a happy-go-lucky man who loved his family.
"He loved his wife and his two children and he was just there ready to help people in times of emergencies," Mr McMannis said.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is investigating the crash and police are preparing a report for the coroner.
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Peter Doutch
A father is dead and his five-year-old daughter is fighting for her life after his light plane crashed into a home.
The State Emergency Service has paid tribute to stalwart volunteer Peter Doutch after his ultralight plane slammed into the roof of a Tyabb house.
Mr Doutch had taken his young daughter Emily on a recreational flight from Tyabb airport about 5.20pm on Sunday.
Minutes later their plane smashed into a Seaview Rd home 2km away, where the owners, an elderly couple, said they heard an “almighty crash”.
Frankston SES controller Brian McMannis paid tribute to Mr Doutch describing him as “a true, dedicated volunteer” and “a happy-go-lucky guy”.
Neighbour Kevin Paganoni described how seconds before the crash he had been putting his chickens in their pen when he heard the plane flying low.
The plane stalled, he said, before it traveled another 50m and smashed into the roof.
“He was coming in and I thought he was way too low,” Mr Paganoni said.
“He banked hard to the left and as he did the thing stalled and he crashed into the bloke next door.”
Mr Paganoni rushed to the scene and found a little girl in the wreckage and fuel leaking from the plane.
“She was calling out and crying a fair bit ... she was badly cut up and I lifted her out and put her on the bloke’s lawn and we wrapped her in a blanket. It was pretty scary alright.”
Two white helmets, which the pair had been wearing at the time of the flight, were later seen among the debris.
Police officer, acting Sen Sgt Blair Jeanes, said the owners of the home had found both Mr Doutch and his daughter.
“They’ve been confronted with quite a disturbing scene; they’ve located a deceased male and an injured child from the aircraft,” he said. “After the initial shock they’ve assisted in treating and comforting the young girl.”
The girl was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a critical condition suffering head injuries.
The SES organized a special meeting so members could be told face-to-face about the tragic accident.
“He’s been a volunteer for over 20 years and he was just a true, dedicated volunteer,” Mr McMannis said.
“Everyone’s just in shock. He was a very happy-go-lucky guy.”
Mr McMannis said the SES would continue to support Mr Doutch’s family, friends and colleagues.
The cause of the crash will be subject to an investigation.
The scene of the plane crash at a Tyabb property.
A man was killed and girl injured after an ultralight plane crashed into a Tyabb property.
