Game Composites GB-1 | N786AE

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be pilot error, in that the pilot did enter solo aerobatic flight after completing formation aerobatic practice, where he entered vertical flight with smoke on. At the apex of the vertical flight the aircraft was fully stalled and began a spin rotation, with the nose in a constantly decreasing pitch attitude. There was not sufficient altitude to recover from the resulting flat spin, which had been entered at an altitude too low rom which to recover.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft who elect to perform intentional aerobatic maneuvers, do so at such an altitude that would allow an extra margin of time for safe recovery, and a return to controlled flight.