On the Record: Evolution Revo

Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 06:10 PM ET

Verified

The National Transportation Safety Board is sifting through wreckage of two World War II-era aircraft that collided midair during the Wings Over Dallas airshow on Saturday.

Key Takeaways:

An experienced conventional pilot with limited weight-shift-control (WSC) experience fatally crashed a high-performance WSC aircraft shortly after takeoff.
The pilot disregarded his instructor's explicit warning that he was unqualified to operate the specific high-performance WSC, which was significantly more challenging and sensitive than his training aircraft.
The probable cause was the pilot's improper decision and subsequent incorrect control inputs, likely resulting from unfamiliarity with the aircraft's handling characteristics and a reversion to conventional airplane habits.
A secondary safety issue was noted concerning obscured warning placards for the aircraft's rocket-powered parachute, which posed a hazard to first responders due to its resting position.