Beechcraft T-34A | N268AF

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot elected to commence an aerobatic routine over water, and did not allow sufficient altitude for recovery from the loop maneuver. Video evidence shows the aircraft in an aggressive pull up just before impact, where it was likely in a very high G accelerated stall. The pilot at age 90, did not have a pilots license or medical on record at the time of the accident. The pilot had pre arranged to perform this aerial demonstration for those that would be watching from a boat nearby.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft add conservatives altitude buffer margins during intentional acrobatic maneuvers, especially over open water where depth perception can sometimes be compromised. The DTSB recommends that pilots who are advanced in age always fly with a qualified safety pilot in order to prevent future fatal altitude miscalculations such as this one.