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After the crash. Photos supplied by Rogin Taylor
After 61 years in the cockpit, experienced Whitsunday pilot Rogin Taylor has walked away uninjured from another frightening incident after his aircraft collided with an airport utility vehicle on the runway at Whitsunday Coast Airport.
At 5pm on Saturday 8th August, Whitsunday Sports Aviators Club president and Proserpine Aero Club vice-president Rogin Taylor was bringing his Atec Zephyr into Whitsunday Coast Airport, where he planned to leave the aircraft ahead of a four-day flying safari around North Queensland with four mates.
After touching down on Runway 11, Rogin said he spotted an airport utility vehicle stationary about 100 metres ahead.
With the aircraft already committed to the landing, he veered right in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, but the left wing struck the vehicle, snapping off and spinning the plane around completely.
“It was distressing, actually a little bit frightening,” said Rogin.
Despite the impact and damage to the aircraft, Rogin escaped the collision without injury, although he said damage to the cockpit controls made it difficult to climb out.
Rogin said he expected the vehicle to move clear of the runway before his aircraft reached it, believing the driver had seen him in time. He claimed the driver later told him he had been unable to see the approaching plane due to the setting sun.
The incident also disrupted operations at Whitsunday Coast Airport, with a departing Jetstar service delayed while the aircraft’s debris remained on the runway.
Whitsunday Regional Council acknowledged the incident in a statement following the collision.
“The safety of passengers, airport personnel and all airport users remains Council’s highest priority,” Council said.
“The incident has been reported to the relevant aviation authorities and is currently under investigation.”
“As the matter is under investigation, Council will not comment further on the circumstances of the incident at this time.”
This isn’t the first time the seasoned pilot has survived a frightening incident, having previously watched one of his aircraft burst into flames and, in 2022, survived a crash into the Proserpine River.
That crash left his aircraft completely submerged, with the pressure luckily freeing both Rogin and his passenger from the plane before they spent around 40 minutes swimming to shore through the most densely crocodile-populated river in Queensland.
Despite all this, Rogin is unwavering in his love for flying, and even has plans of getting back in the plane sooner than you’d believe.
“I just put it all behind me,” Rogin said.
“I also have another airplane which I'll probably fly later this week.”
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