Vans RV-8A | N627TT

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot performed low level aerobatic flight for family and friends who were watching at this private airstrip. A witness recorded a video of the accident airplane as it maneuvered over the airstrip. The video depicted the airplane flying low over the turf runway before entering a short, gradual, climb. Shortly after the climb initiated, the airplane began a roll to the right that continued to an inverted attitude, after which the nose of the airplane pitched toward the ground and the airplane descended to ground impact.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft refrain from impromptu low level airshow performance, especially where friend’s and family are known to be watching. All aerobatic flight should be conducted at a safe altitude, and only after an extensive amount of aerobatic flight training.