Probable Cause Report Released

The NTSB released Wednesday the probable cause report of Ian Groom's fatal crash while preparing for the 2004 Air and Sea Show in Fort Lauderdale last April. The NTSB determined that the cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to recover from an intentional spin during an attempted aerobatic maneuver.

The Sukhoi SU-31 collided with the water at 1415 eastern daylight time on April 30th, 2004. No evidence of mechanical, flight controls or control surfaces anomalies were discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane wreckage.

Prior to the accident, Groom was rehearsing for the air show. He had performed 56 consecutive snap rolls before climbing to about 5000 feet. He informed the announcer that he was going to conduct a flat spin maneuver. According to the announcer, the number of rotations conducted appeared to exceed the normal amount conducted in the past. The spin continued until the aircraft impacted the water.

No mechanical or flight control anomalies were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov