FAIRFIELD, Calif. — A pilot who crashed and died while performing a stunt at a Northern California air show had recently passed a skills test that included his flying routines, the head of an air show trade association said.
International Council of Air Shows’ President John Cudahy said the 77-year-old Eddie Andreini passed the test just a few weeks before Sunday’s crash. Cudahy told the Sacramento Bee that Andreini was tested in over 60 areas and was judged to be mentally and physically fit for the stunts he performed.
Andreini was flying upside-down and low to the ground in an acrobatic maneuver during the “Thunder Over Solano” air show. His vintage biplane hit the ground and burst into flames.
Howard Plagens of the National Transportation Safety Board said his team is trying to determine what caused the crash, starting with an examination of the wreckage and ground scars. They will also review the amount of time it took for emergency crews to respond.