John Klatt Lands Safely After Shedding Aileron During Snap Rolls

Spectators at the Battle Creek Balloon Festival Airshow in Michigan got a disconcerting look Sunday into the risks faced by aerobatic performers. John Klatt's Panzl S330 lost its left aileron during a series of snap rolls, but he was able to level out even as the control surface fluttered to the ground.

YouTube Frame Capture Of Aileron Coming Off The Airplane

In one spectator video posted on YouTube, the excited chatter of airshow announcer Phil Dacy is heard to stop completely immediately following the separation, and the recording captures spectators speculating that the worst is about to happen as they see emergency responders gathering. Instead, as reported by the Battle Creek Enquirer, performer Rob Holland, who was waiting on the runway to perform after Klatt, took off to get a closer look at the damaged plane. Klatt then made a safe landing without injury, but the plane was said to be damaged extensively.

Klatt's Airplane During Performance Before Shedding An Aileron

Scott Russell, a spokesman for John Klatt Airshows, told the paper the incident happened within the airshow box, and said of Klatt, "His safety was not in jeopardy and no one on the ground was in jeopardy...we are investigating along with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board."

Klatt did not perform on Monday's final day of the show.

FMI: www.johnklattairshows.com