So do me a favour and DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME unless you are, or have been, under proper aerobatics instruction in a proper aerobatics plane.
I have... does that mean it's OK to go try it in an ATR now? When can I start?
(Sorry, just being pedantic).
Was it really a barrel roll that the ATR flew? The term is often misused for a normal aileron roll, which I suspect is what was really meant. In theory any aircraft can fly an aileron roll with no problem - the issue, as BackPacker says, is what happens when it goes wrong. In a proper +5/-3 aerobatic plane, no big deal, just about any recovery will work safely. otoh in a +2/-1 transport category aircraft, your margins are a lot tighter. Even in my 182 (+3.8/-2) I would not do it even though I am quite sure it would be 100% safe (though illegal, as well as unwise).
But I've heard that USAF pilots have rolled C-130s with no problems... if you know what you're doing and have plenty of acro experience, I guess you could do it in anything. The SERIOUSLY unwise part is doing it right overhead a busy airport!
n5296s