Aero Vodochody L-39MS accident near Ketchikan, AK
On January 25, 2006, an Aero Vodochody L-39MS (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- January 25, 2006
- Place
- Ketchikan, AK
- Aircraft
- Aero Vodochody L-39MS · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 55.358°N, 131.696°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060202X00153
Official records · ANC06FA018
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 25, 2006, about 1250 Alaska Standard time, an Aero Vodochody L-39MS airplane, N104XX, a surplus military warbird built in the Czech Republic, was destroyed by impact and postimpact fire when it collided with the ground and an occupied trailer home during an instrument approach/circle to land at the Ketchikan International Airport, Ketchikan, Alaska. The experimental airplane was being operated as an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country ferry flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Air USA Inc., Quincy, Illinois. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and five persons on the ground received minor injuries. The flight departed in VFR conditions about 1141 from the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, Alaska. While en route, the pilot obtained an IFR flight plan to Ketchikan. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel, the airplane was issued a special ferry permit by an inspector with the Van Nuys Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Van Nuys, California, on January 23, 2006, with options to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) or instrument flight rules (IFR), day or night, from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seattle, Washington. A ferry permit was required because the accident airplane's most recent experimental airworthiness certificate had expired. The ferry permit application was signed by an FAA certificated mechanic who was hired by the operator, c
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow published instrument landing procedures and his descent below approach minimums during an IFR circle to land approach, which resulted in the airplane striking the ocean and a loss of engine power. Factors contributing to the accident were low clouds and snow.
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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.
