Extra EA-300 N101PK accident near Santa Barbara, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons while performing aerobatics.

NTSB analysis

A witness observed the airplane performing aerobatics over the ocean for about 10 minutes prior to the accident. The maneuver was the same; the airplane would fly straight up, roll 360 degrees as in a loop, descend, and then pull back up into the same maneuver. On the maneuver that culminated in the accident he saw the airplane fly straight up, flip over, and enter into a 45-degree descent toward the water. He expected the airplane to pull up into the same maneuver; however, the airplane continued its descent until it impacted the water. The witness reported that he was not able to see any detail as the airplane was off in the distance.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA203 for the full record.