All,
First of all, let me clarify: This was pilot error, and this was truly a Thunderbird pilot in a regular jet. No different equipment. And, at the top of the loop, the pilot is supposed to check his altitude and determine if it is safe to continue with the manuever. If not, the pilot should abort the manuever by rolling out. However, the pilot failed to check for that altitude at the predetermined point. He did, however, check his altitude and flight path. Since he had already passed the proverbial "point of no return" he had no choice but to continue with the loop. If he would have rolled out later on in the manuever, he would have used up too much altitude, and would either auger straight in, or have hit the same way, only 180 degrees in the other direction. I hope that's not too hard to follow.

Jake