Flight Description
A flight of seven T-6 aircraft formed in a right echelon for a 360-degree overhead approach for landing. The lead aircraft, bearing registration N2449, overflew a portion of Runway 16 at approximately 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) before initiating its break for the overhead approach.
Sequence of Events
The lead aircraft executed a 'sharp' left break, achieving approximately 80 to 90 degrees of bank. The bank angle then decreased, and the landing gear and flaps were extended. During the base-to-final turn, the aircraft overshot the final approach course to the right of the runway. Subsequently, the aircraft banked back to the left of the centerline, with the bank angle increasing to 60 to 65 degrees. The left wing dropped, and the aircraft's nose pitched down. Just prior to impact, the aircraft made a left roll of less than one-quarter of a full rotation.
Weight and Balance Considerations
The calculated center of gravity (CG) for the aircraft at the time of the event was 34.7 inches. According to the weight and balance data, the maximum gross weight CG range is 27.5 inches to 32.5 inches. The calculated CG fell outside this allowable range.