LAX87DUM03

Factual narrative

THE PILOT OF THE F4U WAS GIVING THE PASSENGER A RIDE IN APPRECIATION OF HER VOLUNTEER WORK SHE CONTRIBUTED TO AN AIRSHOW CONDUCTED AT BROWN FIELD IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE F4U ENTER AN INVERTED DIVE FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1500 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. PLTS FAMILIAR WITH THE F4U STATED THAT ONCE INVERTED IT TENDS TO STAY THAT WAY AND A 'SPLIT S' MANEUVER IS USUALLY THE ONLY WAY OUT, WHICH USES 3000 FT OR MORE OF ALTITUDE. THE PLTS EXPERIENCE IN AEROBATICS IN THE F4U IS UNKNOWN. NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT WERE NOTED DURING POST ACC INVESTIGATION. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12