Aero Vodochody L-39 accident near Tracy, CA
On May 31, 2003, an Aero Vodochody L-39 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tracy, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 31, 2003
- Place
- Tracy, CA
- Aircraft
- Aero Vodochody L-39 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.750°N, 121.428°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030605X00792
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 30, 2003, at 1914 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros, N139RH, collided with terrain while performing team aerobatic maneuvers in the vicinity of Tracy, California. The airplane was operated by Redstar Air Shows, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated at Byron, California, about 1655. A flight of three Aero Vodochody L-39's were practicing low level team aerobatics in a designated box area in the vicinity of Tracy, California. The team's aerobatic coach said that the hard deck for this practice session was 1,000 feet. The majority of the witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to "rock" and the nose pitched down on the backside of a low altitude loop just before it impacted the ground. The pilot did not appear to attempt to eject from the airplane. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings. She had type ratings in the Boeing 737, DC-9, and DHC-7. The Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120) submitted by the operator indicated the pilot had about 14,000 hours of total flight time, 10,000 hours in multiengine airplanes, 4,000 hours in single engine airplanes and 16 hours in the L-39. The date of her last biennial flight review was in January, 2003. She held a first class medical certificate dated December 20, 2002, with no limi
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while performing low level aerobatics.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
