Brazil's air force has started an inquiry after a pilot with the Esquadrilha da Fumaca aerobatic team was killed after his Embraer T-27 aircraft crashed during a display at Lages in the southern Santa Catarina state.
The team had been performing at an event commemorating the 68th anniversary of the Aeroclube de Lages, founded in 1942.
Video images of the moments preceding the crash indicate that the T-27 entered a steep climb, rolling to the left several times, before entering a rapid dive.
Despite achieving a wings-level, horizontal attitude, as shown in other footage, the aircraft failed to recover from the descent before striking the ground and exploding.
The Brazilian Air Force confirms that it has opened an investigation into the accident, which occurred on 2 April at about 17:00. It says the 33-year old pilot had over 3,650 flight hours and had performed more than 180 demonstration flights, making him one of the most experienced team members.
Esquadrilha de Fumaca - which means 'Smoke Squadron', in reference to the team's use of trail-smoke - traces its origins back to the 1950s and the team was formally designated as the air force's aerobatics division in 1963.
Typically the group uses seven T-27s in its aerial displays. To qualify for the squadron, a military pilot must have at least 1,500 flight hours and have undergone at least 800 hours of instruction at the air force's academy.
Source: Flight International
