What happened
On July 4, 2024, at approximately 1725 mountain daylight time, a GB1 Gamebird, registration N786AE, was involved in a fatal accident near Irwin, Idaho, while operating under Part 91 regulations.
At the time of the accident, the pilot was practicing aerobatic formation flight with another aircraft within an aerobatic practice area located just west of Alpine Airport (46U) in Alpine, Wyoming. After the formation flight concluded, the pilot of the other aircraft departed the area, leaving the pilot of N786AE to perform solo maneuvers.
Witnesses positioned at the Palisades Reservoir observed the aircraft performing a series of solo aerobatic maneuvers. During the final sequence, the aircraft was seen flying nearly vertically with aerobatic smoke active. The aircraft performed a tight, pivoting turn into a vertical descent, which then transitioned into a flat spin. After completing multiple revolutions in the spin, the aircraft entered a nose-low dive and struck the water.
The aircraft impacted the Palisades Reservoir and came to rest inverted in approximately 10 feet of water, roughly one mile west of the departure end of runway 31 at 46U. The accident resulted in 1 fatality.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site confirmed the aircraft came to rest in the reservoir. Investigators recovered the wreckage and found that all major components were accounted for. The wreckage was subsequently moved to a secure facility for further analysis.