19980412006509A

During practice aerobatic manuevers lost control of Extra. Tail hit ground on pullout from maneuver. (.4)a pilot with aerobatic experience witnessed the accident airplane maneuvering prior to impact. She reported that the airplane was 'kicking around for the turn-around for a knife-edge spin (identical entry as a hammerhead maneuver). Everything looked normal.' The witness reported the airplane was recovering from this maneuver and initiated a 1/4 roll (down) to the left. The witness reported that, 'the plane got lower and lower, closer to the ground. I could see that there was a last minute positive pitch change. I saw him impact the ground flat.' The pilot was found conscious. The witness reported, 'he was aware of what had happened to him. He explained [to] me on the spot that he g-locked (gray-out) during the pullout of the maneuver... .' The pilot reported that a lack of food and water on the day of the accident, in addition to fatigue, contributed to the accident. (-23) N301NL, an Extra EA-300, was conducting acrobatic maneuvers within 4 nautical miles of a federal airway when the accident occurred. The pilot h as been unable to discuss the matter with this office due to the serious injuries he sustained in the mishap. Witnesses have stated that the pilot had indicated, after the accident, that he may have blacked out briefly during a maneuver due to "g-loading". Upon recovering from the "g-lock", the pilot attempted to pull out of a dive, but was unable to avoid impact with the ground. The aircraft struck the ground in a level attitude and skipped approximately 400 feet over a road and into another farm field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot sustained a broken leg, broken arm, broken rib, broken back, and severe lacerations to the head area. He has been unable to discuss the matter with inspectors from this office and interview attempts will be ongoing as the pilot recovers from his injuries.