Rush to help girl in father's fatal crash

Neighbours who witnessed an ultralight aircraft crash into a Melbourne home, killing the pilot father and critically injuring his five-year-old daughter, have told of their desperate attempts to help the little girl.

Peter Doutch was taking his young daughter Emily on a recreational flight when the ultralight plummeted into a house in Tyabb, in the city's southeast, shortly after take-off about 5.20pm yesterday.

Several neighbours witnessed the crash and rushed to pull Emily from the wreckage.

Her helmet had been knocked off in the impact of the crash, local resident Rob Boer told The Age.

"She was just crying the whole time. She didn't look very good at all," Mr Boer said.

Neighbours comforted Emily before an ambulance arrived to rush her to the Royal Children's Hospital where she remains this morning in a critical condition with head injuries and multiple fractures.

The plane was reportedly "spitting and coughing like it was running out of fuel" before it is believed to have stalled in the air and crashed into the roof of a home 2km away from Tyabb's airport.

Mr Doutch, from the Mornington Peninsula, likely died on impact, police said.

Victoria's State Emergency Service paid tribute to the 44-year-old, who was a volunteer of 20 years.

Frankston SES controller Brian McMannis described him as "a true, dedicated volunteer" and a "a happy-go-lucky guy".

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Source: Herald Sun

Author: Erin Tennant, Approving editor: Kieran Campbell