Accident Sequence
A pilot who was authorized by the aircraft owner to perform a test flight around the traffic pattern made three flights, the last of which ended in an accident. The pilot had a local fixed-base operator (FBO) owner on board for the test flights. Unauthorized passengers were present on the first and third flights.
During the second flight, the FBO owner observed the pilot perform 'a couple rolls.' On the third flight, multiple witnesses reported that the pilot 'buzzed' the runway and executed a wide climbing turn to a wide downwind position north of the runway. After leveling off at an altitude between 700 and 1,000 feet, the pilot initiated a series of left aileron rolls. The reported number of rolls varied among witnesses, but all agreed that during the final roll, the aircraft hesitated near the inverted position. Subsequently, the nose dropped, and the aircraft continued to roll into the ground.
Prior Warnings
Three flight instructors stated that they had admonished the pilot on several occasions in the past not to perform aerobatics in the aircraft, particularly because wing pods were installed. Despite these warnings, the pilot proceeded with the maneuvers on the day of the accident.