NTSB Factual Report

On June 11, 1995, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Berg Steen Skybolt, N3753B, collided with terrain during an acrobatic maneuver after takeoff from the Jolamtra Airport in Bath, New York. The pilot was fatally injured. The homebuilt airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Bath, New York, approximately 1255.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector, at the time of the accident, there was a model airshow taking place. Witnesses reported that the pilot landed the airplane, signed autographs, and talked with spectators. The witnesses stated that the pilot did a preflight prior to departure.

Review of a video tape taken by a spectator revealed that shortly after takeoff the airplane did a vertical aileron roll and climbed to an unknown altitude. The airplane then rolled left and entered into a spin. The airplane completed four spins before recovery was initiated. Rotation was stopped just prior to the airplane impacting trees. View of the airplane was lost as it entered the trees. No objects were seen departing the airplane during any of the maneuvers. Engine noise was audible until impact.

Postaccident examination of the accident site and airplane revealed the airplane impacted trees and descended to the ground. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies.

The pilot last received a FAA Third Class Medical Certificate on August 24, 1988. On the application for the certificate, the pilot reported he had accumulated 200 flight hours. The pilot's log book was not recovered.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance to avoid trees while performing aerobatic maneuvers. Related factors are the low altitude at which the maneuver was initiated and the delayed recovery/pull-up.