Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB CEN12LA602
AERO VODOCHODY L39C — Davenport, IA
| Date | September 1, 2012 |
| Location | Davenport, IA |
| Aircraft | AERO VODOCHODY L39C |
| Purpose of flight | Air Race/Show |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-aerobatics Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 59 |
| Pilot total time | 2,500 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 600 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
What happened
The accident airplane was part of a 3 airplane airshow demonstration performance. After overflying the spectators and flying away from the flightline, the airplanes were executing a crossover break maneuver, which the accident airplane was in the left wing position. During the crossover break maneuver, the lead airplane first entered a climbing maneuver, the left wing position airplane entered a right turn, and then the right wing position airplane entered a left turn with adequate longitudinal spacing. During the maneuver, the accident airplane entered the right turn, descended, and impacted the terrain. A post-impact fire ensued. No evidence of any in-flight collision with the other airplanes was observed. Witnesses reported that they did not observe any movement of the airplane's flight control surfaces prior to the airplane impacting terrain, which would be inconsistent with the pilot attempting to recover from the descent. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were noted with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.