Accident Overview
An airplane conducting an instructional cross-country flight in visual meteorological conditions experienced an in-flight breakup while performing an aerobatic maneuver. The accident occurred during the final of five maneuvers identified in radar data from the flight.
Flight Details
Radar data showed five distinct maneuvers during the accident flight. During the last maneuver, the airplane's airspeed exceeded 134 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS). According to the airplane's type certificate data sheet, its maximum maneuvering speed was 116 KCAS.
Pilot History
Fellow flight instructors reported that the accident flight instructor had previously mentioned performing "rolls" and/or "snap rolls" while using the flight school's airplanes. Additionally, one primary flight student stated that the accident instructor had demonstrated "rolls" and "spins" to him during flight lessons.
Mechanical Examination
No preimpact mechanical deficiencies were identified with the airplane. All fracture surfaces examined were consistent with overload separations.