Aero Vodochody L 39C accident near Apple Valley, CA
On December 6, 2015, an Aero Vodochody L 39C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Apple Valley, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 6, 2015
- Place
- Apple Valley, CA
- Aircraft
- Aero Vodochody L 39C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.572°N, 117.185°W
- NTSB ID
- 20151206X05007
Official records · WPR16FA035
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 6, 2015, about 1407 Pacific standard time, an Aero Vodochody L-39C, N39AY, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Apple Valley, California. The airline transport pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Jettran LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which departed Apple Valley Airport (APV) about 1406. A friend of the pilot-rated passenger reported that the passenger was considering purchasing a partial ownership in another L-39 airplane that was based at his local airport. Additionally, the passenger was a fan of the accident pilot's performances in the Red Bull Air Races. After the friend introduced the passenger to the pilot, they arranged to fly together in the L-39. Witnesses reported that, on the day of the accident, after refueling the airplane, the pilot delivered a 1-hour safety briefing to the passenger inside the airport terminal. Subsequently, they boarded the airplane, and the pilot taxied it to the airport run-up area. After a brief pause, the pilot taxied the airplane to runway 18 and began a ground roll. One witness reported seeing dark grey-colored exhaust coming from the exhaust nozzle as the airplane began its takeoff roll. According to witnesses, when the airplane was about 3,400 ft down the runway (just beyond the halfway point), witnesses heard a "pop, pop, pop" sound, which was immediately followed by intermittent, bright orange
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power on takeoff, which resulted from a sudden over-temperature condition due to an improperly adjusted fuel control unit and the deteriorated condition of the fuel nozzles.
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.
