Decathlon 8KCAB
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 2100; Flight Crew Type 100
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors
Flight was an aerobatic instructional flight. The plan was to remain VMC and at or above 1;500 ft at all times. Aerobatic maneuvers were entered at 2;000-2;500 ft to maintain a 1;500 ft floor. During a half Cuban 8; with the instructor (myself) at the controls; I inadvertently entered an inverted spin at the top of the maneuver. I recovered at about 700 ft AGL.On the upline of the entry; I heard the stall horn go off. I eased off a bit and the aircraft went over the top fine. I was uncoordinated in my roll; and entered the spin. I need to remember that loaded maneuvers increase stall speed and impart a yaw -hence a spin. I recovered using the Meigs-Bueller method (throttle-Idle; hands off) as I couldn't tell which way we were spinning from the back seat of the Decathlon.
An American Champion Decathlon pilot reported inadvertently entering a spin condition while performing aerobatic maneuvers. A successful spin recovery was accomplished.