1 fatal · McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C · 1996-06-19 · BETHALTO, IL, USA
Event
NTSB number
CHI96FA211
Event ID
20001208X05912
Type
Accident
Date
1996-06-19
Location
BETHALTO, IL, USA
Coordinates
38.899635, -90.04039
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
McDonnell Douglas
Model
F/A-18C
Registration
N16518
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to follow the preflight crew briefing and attain a proper altitude during an aerobatic maneuver. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's previous experience of flying similar airshow routines in a different airplane with substantially different performance characteristics, and the company's failure to have a formal training plan for pilots performing airshow demonstration flights.