NTSB Factual Report

The pilot planned to depart the runway and then turn left towards a row of trees for an aerobatic demonstration at a local airshow. At a set distance from the trees, his plan was to roll the airplane inverted and then climb away from the trees. However, during the performance, he realized the airplane wasn’t going to clear the trees. The pilot stated that he applied more controls in order to increase the climb angle, but the airplane collided with the trees. The pilot continued the airplane’s climb and returned to the airfield for a landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings and horizontal stabilizer during the collision with the trees. The pilot reported that the primary cause of the accident was “misjudgment in the distance”. He also reported that there were occasionally gusty winds, but was unable to ascertain whether the winds were a factor or not.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the trees during a low-level aerobatic maneuver.