What happened
During the twilight hours of an evening flight, the pilot of an amateur-built Pitts S1S biplane, registration C-FZSF, performed a series of maneuvers near a private airstrip in Melanlyon, Ontario. Shortly after departing the airstrip, the pilot encountered another aircraft, a Piper J-3 Cub, which was also operating in the area. The pilot of the Pitts S1S performed two 360-degree turns around the Piper aircraft before initiating a roll. Immediately following the completion of this roll, the aircraft struck a flat field, resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the plane. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the pilot's medical history. The engine, a Lycoming IO-360-B1D, and the flight control systems, including the rudder and ailerons, showed no signs of malfunction or impact-related failure prior to the crash. The pilot, an extremely experienced aviator with over 22,000 flying hours, was found to be medically fit, with a post-mortem examination revealing no pre-existing conditions that would have contributed to the accident. The investigation also noted that the pilot had performed the maneuvers at a low altitude and had not coordinated his flight intentions with the pilot of the other aircraft.