Aerobatic Flight Ends in Crash (N21H)

What happened

The accident occurred during a flight phase involving aerobatic maneuvers. Witnesses or surveillance data indicated that the aircraft was actively performing aerobatics immediately prior to the impact with the ground. The final position of the wreckage showed the aircraft in an inverted attitude with the nose pointed downward.

The investigation

A review of the pilot's certification and flight logs provided context regarding experience levels. The records confirmed a total flight time of 600 hours for the individual involved. However, recent currency on the specific accident airframe was notably low. Documentation indicated that this particular aircraft had not been flown for approximately eight and a half years prior to the incident. When it was finally operated again, the logged time on the accident aircraft amounted to only about three hours.

Findings

The combination of aerobatic maneuvering and potentially limited recent experience on the specific airframe contributed to the outcome. The lack of recent flight time on this model may have impacted the pilot's proficiency during complex maneuvers.