Air Force determines hot dogging was cause of fatal F-16 crash

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An Air Force accident investigation board has determined that the cause of an F-16 fighter jet crash last summer was hot dogging by the pilot, who was showing off for his in-laws.

Air Force Reserve Maj. Steve Simons was killed in the August 28 crash near Tulia, Texas.

"The pilot was performing unauthorized aerobatic maneuvers over the property of his parents-in-law when the crash occurred," said an Air Force statement released Wednesday.

"Investigators determined that he was executing a low altitude loop when his attention became too focused on the point on the ground where he intended to complete the maneuver. As a result, he failed to keep track of his air speed, altitude and dive angle and was unable to pull out of the loop in time," the investigation found.

"The aircraft impacted the ground on the property of his parents-in-law. The pilot made no attempt to eject from the aircraft," the statement said.

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