Guy had to be fairly proficient in
Aerobatics to perform a barrel roll successfully. Barrel rolls are kinda like a loop and a roll combined….but put a lot less g-forces on the pilot and airframe than a true vertical loop. Barrel roll is kinda like the path of a corkscrew around a horizontal axis and takes coordination of ailerons, elevator and rudder to complete. I don't think he learned how to do that from video games as he said….but who knows. What a way to go though. Man o man.
Thanks for sharing that.

If you read the full flight transcripts, he puked several times after take-off and Im sure the rest of the ride he was riding on adrenaline.

He also wasn't expecting that the barrel roll would be successful and was kind of pleasantly surprised that it did. He didnt quite know what to do after that and even said he would go "nose down and call it a night" after that.

You can also still see his wreck site on google maps, Ketron Island.

Yep. Sad to see that life overwhelmed him to that point.
I've had some training on Sims but I learned quickly that nothing really prepares you better than the ole real stick and rudder.

Thank you. I'll check it out.
Poor guy. I hope he went quickly.


I sure am glad I didn't have to argue with the insurance company over that.

Again, much obliged for sharing.

I remember when this happened.
Dude is a legend.
Wish he'd have found help.

rest easy sky king

Wasn't this the guy who had never flown a plane, but learned playing video games/sims?...or something crazy like that?