Aero Vodochody Aero Works L39C accident near Gadsden, AL
On June 30, 2003, an Aero Vodochody Aero Works L39C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Gadsden, AL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 30, 2003
- Place
- Gadsden, AL
- Aircraft
- Aero Vodochody Aero Works L39C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.972°N, 86.089°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030707X01027
NTSB summary
On June 30, 2003, at 1533 central daylight time, an Aero Vodochody L39C experimental jet airplane, N8125R, registered to Jet Team LLC and operated by the commercial pilot, lost engine power, and collided with the ground during takeoff from Gadsden Municipal Airport, Gadsden, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot ejected from the airplane and received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed by post-impact fire. The flight was originating from Gadsden, Alabama, at the time of the accident on June 30, 2003. The flight was departing runway 6 en route to Muskegon, Michigan, where the airplane is based. A witness at the airport reported the airplane had arrived the previous day and the pilot and airplane participated in media interviews the day of the accident. The airplane received no maintenance at the airport facilities. Witnesses reported heavy rain and thunderstorms arriving in the area near the time of departure, and a brief period of heavy rain occurred during the startup and taxi of the jet. A witness in a parking lot adjacent to the runway watched the airplane's takeoff roll and stated he saw what looked like birds or debris in the air around the airplane as soon as it lifted off the runway. He then heard a "thump, thump" noise, followed by engine whining. The witness reported the airplane continued airborne, appeared to struggle back and forth, then it veered left and descended. The witness estimated the airplane was at
Probable cause
The loss of engine power during takeoff due to foreign object damage, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during forced landing. Factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, his failure to secure the cargo/baggage door, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane prior to ejecting from the airplane.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
