At 1411 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain while performing aerobatic maneuvers. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness reported the airplane performing a hammerhead-type maneuver. The witness reported a second maneuver was performed from which the airplane did not recover. The witness reported the engine sputtered and sounded like it went to idle as the airplane spun toward the terrain.
August 16, 2009, Tea, S.D., Vans RV-8 Experimental
At 1411 Central time, the airplane collided with terrain while performing aerobatic maneuvers. The airline transport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness reported the airplane performing a hammerhead-type maneuver. The witness reported a second maneuver was performed from which the airplane did not recover. The witness reported the engine sputtered and sounded like it went to idle as the airplane spun toward the terrain.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers collided with terrain, resulting in the fatal injury of the airline transport pilot and passenger.
- A witness reported observing a "hammerhead-type" maneuver followed by a second maneuver from which the airplane did not recover.
- The engine reportedly sputtered and idled before the airplane spun towards the terrain.
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