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:

A commercial pilot with extensive conventional flight experience but minimal (13.5 hours) weight-shift-control (WSC) training crashed a high-performance WSC aircraft solo, despite explicit warnings that he was unqualified to operate it.
The accident was caused by the pilot's improper and excessive control inputs immediately after takeoff, likely due to unfamiliarity with the aircraft's sensitive handling and the control logic opposite to conventional airplanes.
Investigations found no mechanical deficiencies or failures in the aircraft or engine, confirming pilot error as the sole cause of the rapid loss of control and fatal impact.
First responders faced delayed hazard awareness regarding a rocket-powered parachute because existing industry standards only require warning placards on one side of the aircraft, which was obscured after the crash.