Probable cause
The pilot's attempt to recover from an aerobatic maneuver at too low of an altitude to make a safe recovery.
NTSB analysis
The airline transport pilot reported that he had been practicing aerobatic maneuvers for an upcoming airshow. He could not recall the events leading up to the accident. Based on the impact scars in the field, it was determined that the airplane struck the ground in a slightly nose-high, wings-level attitude. No mechanical defects with the airplane or engine were noted. It is likely that the pilot conducted an aerobatic maneuver and attempted to recover from it at too low of an altitude for a safe recovery.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA428 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 28, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Slidell, Texas
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Sukhoi SU-26
- N-number
- N596TJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1989
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.