Female aerobatic pilot killed in airshow stunt became 'incapacitated' during manoeuvre

Woman stunt pilot killed during air show after she became 'incapacitated' during mid-air manoeuvre

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 05:00 EST, 9 September 2010

Death crash: Vicki Cruse, 41, died when her aircraft crashed at the World Aerobatics Championship at Silverstone

A champion stunt pilot killed while performing at an air show may have become 'incapacitated', an accident report said today.

Vicki Cruse, 41, died when her single-seater Zivko Edge 540 aircraft crashed at the World Aerobatics Championship at Silverstone racing circuit in Northamptonshire.

Rudder pedal extensions used by Ms Cruse could have contributed to a rudder control restriction, the report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said.

The report went on: 'Pilot incapacitation was also considered a possible contributory factor.'

Ms Cruse, from Santa Paula, California, who was president of the International Aerobatic Club, was performing a manoeuvre known as a snap roll from which the aircraft did not recover.

The report said it was 'not an extreme one for such an experienced aerobatic pilot' nor did it entail prolonged exposure to very high gravitational G forces.'

There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol in her body, the AAIB added.

The report into the incident on August 22, 2009, concluded that the possibility remained that 'the pilot's ability to recognise or respond to the situation had somehow become impaired and this must be considered as a possible contributory factor'.

Ms Cruse had won the American unlimited aerobatic title in 2007.

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