What happened
During an airshow performance, the pilot positioned the airplane's externally mounted 12-foot aerial rope ladder onto the rear platform of a truck. Following the established practice, the pilot waited for a radio call from the truck driver confirming that the performer was on the ladder. Upon receiving this signal, the pilot began a climb away from the vehicle.
When the aircraft reached approximately 100 feet agl, the pilot experienced a lurch. This movement caused the performer to lose his grip on the ladder, resulting in 1 fatality.
The investigation
An examination of the FAA-approved ladder and its attachment points revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions. Review of video footage of the routine showed that the performer's jacket inflated immediately prior to the fall.
Regarding environmental conditions, the pilot performing the acrobatic routine immediately before the accident reported turbulence at higher altitudes, though conditions near the runway surface were smooth enough for a successful touchdown.
Toxicological testing was performed on specimens taken from the performer. The tests identified the presence of diazepam (Valium) and its metabolite; however, the concentrations in the blood specimens were below the limit of quantitation.