Aero Vodochody L-29 accident near Tehachapi, CA
On July 4, 2009, an Aero Vodochody L-29 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tehachapi, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 4, 2009
- Place
- Tehachapi, CA
- Aircraft
- Aero Vodochody L-29 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.135°N, 118.439°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090704X90904
Official records · WPR09LA325
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 4, 2009, about 1329 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Vodochody L-29 airplane, N97869, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Tehachapi, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91. The commercial pilot and airline transport pilot were killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from the Tehachapi Municipal Airport (TSP), Tehachapi, about 1300. Several witnesses located adjacent to the accident site reported observing three jet airplanes overflying the area on a westerly heading at an estimated altitude of about 500 feet above ground level (agl). The accident airplane was observed trailing the other two airplanes. The witnesses reported that the three airplanes initiated a right turn to a northerly heading and the accident airplane made a sharp right climbing turn to join up with the other two airplanes. Subsequently, the accident airplane pitched upwards and rolled to the left over the other two airplanes, transitioning from the right side to the left side. Witnesses further reported that the accident airplane completed the roll in a nose low attitude and descended into terrain where a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot of the lead formation airplane reported that the flight departed “single ship” and joined up in an extended trail position with about 500 to 800 feet of separation. The flight climbed to an altitude of 5,000 feet mean sea
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing a low altitude maneuver.
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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.
