Pilot At Fault In Deadly DeKalb Air Show Crash: Feds

DECATUR, GA — The pilot who was killed in a May 2016 crash during an air show at Peachtree DeKalb Airport was at fault for the crash, federal aviation officials have ruled.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a report from the National Transportation Safety Board says it was pilot-error that caused the deadly crash, during the Good Neighbor Day Air Show. Pilot Greg Connell was killed in the crash when his custom-built biplane hit the ground.

The NTSB report says "the pilot's failure to maintain proper positioning during performance of an aerobatic maneuver and his subsequent failure to discontinue maneuvering when unable to re-establish proper positioning during a steep descent toward the ground" was the crash's probable cause, the AJC reports.

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Connell was one of two pilots performing maneuvers for the crowd when he crashed. (See video of the crash below.)

"It is apparent that (Connell) put himself out of position by not adjusting to the crosswind conditions or he did not correctly identify the show line,” according to the report. "The evidence indicated that he never lost control of the airplane."

Peachtree DeKalb Airport director Mario Evans told the AJC it was the first accident in the air show’s 30-year history.

To read the AJC report, click here.

Photo of flags half-staff at Peachtree DeKalb Airport courtesy DeKalb County