# NTSB Accident CHI96FA211
> **McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C** · 1996-06-19 · BETHALTO, IL, USA · FATL
## 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.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=CHI96FA211) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*