Overview
The accident occurred during a low-level aerobatic flight. Witnesses observed the pilot conducting aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude. During the sequence, the pilot was diving inverted over a body of water and attempted to perform an outside loop. The aircraft stalled and subsequently struck the water in an inverted attitude.
Incident Sequence
According to witness accounts, the pilot was seen performing low-level aerobatics. While diving inverted over the water, he initiated an outside loop. The aircraft lost lift and entered a stall condition. Following the stall onset, the aircraft impacted the water while still inverted.
Pilot Statements
Interviews with fellow pilots revealed that the pilot had recently been boasting about a new aerobatic maneuver. He claimed to have pulled negative 4 Gs within 10 feet of the water surface. This information was disclosed during conversations with other pilots after the accident.
Aircraft Equipment
An examination of the aircraft wreckage indicated that no parachutes were onboard the airplane at the time of the accident. The absence of parachutes was noted during the investigation.