FACTUAL REPORT AVIATION - L-39 Enthusiasts

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National Transportation Safety Board
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Aircraft Registration Number:
N63925
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
Most Critical Injury: Fatal
Investigated By: NTSB
Location/Time
Nearest City/Place
Titusville
Airport Proximity: On Airport/Airstrip
Aircraft Information Summary
Aircraft Manufacturer
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works
State Zip Code Local Time Time Zone
FL 32780 1443
EDT
Distance From Landing Facility: 0
Model/Series
L-39C
Type of Aircraft
Airplane
Revenue Sightseeing Flight: No
Air Medical Transport Flight:
Narrative
Brief narrative statement of facts, conditions and circumstances pertinent to the accident/incident:
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
No
On March 16, 2007, about 1443 eastern daylight time, an Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros, N63925,
registered to and operated by Best Jet Services LC, crashed while performing at the TICO Warbird
Airshow, Space Coast Regional Airport (KTIX), Titusville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions
prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot, the sole occupant of
the airplane received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated in
Titusville, the same day, about 1430.
A witness stated that while the pilot of the accident airplane was performing his solo routine at
the airshow, the airplane ascended and penetrated a scattered cloud layer at the top of a loop. The
airplane then came back into view out of the loop, and continued to roll right while descending in
a steep nose-low attitude, at a high speed. The witness further stated that during the loop the
angle of descent became progressively shallow as the airplane neared the ground, as if the pilot
was attempting to pull out of the dive at too low an altitude. The airplane impacted the terrain
just north of the tree-line along runway 09-27.
During the course of the accident airplane’s maneuvers, several members of public audience made
video recordings of the accident flight immediately prior to, and during the impact. The video was
examined, and it showed the airplane had reached the top of a Cuban eight maneuver, inverted in a
cloud, and then descended inverted out of the cloud in a nose low attitude. The airplane then
rolled to the right, and while still nose low and pointed towards the crowd, continued the roll to
the right to a more westerly heading. The aircraft continued its descent to a slight nose low, left
wing slightly low, near level upright attitude, impacting the terrain.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The 58 year old pilot possessed an FAA airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single and
multiengine land ratings, issued in February 12, 2007. He also possessed type ratings in the
BE-400, CE-500, CE-525, CE-525S, and MU-300, and had been granted authorization to operate
experimental aircraft, specifically the AV-L39, with a level 4 limitation of 800 feet.
He had completed a flight review on February 12, 2007, and stated that he held a letter of
authorization for surplus military turbine powered aircraft. He also stated to the FAA inspector
supervising the airshow, that he possessed a statement of aerobatic competency, and a low altitude
waiver.
The pilot also held an FAA first class medical certificate dated Nov 28, 2006, with the stated
limitation that he must wear corrective lenses. According to the information the pilot provided at
FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION
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National Transportation Safety Board
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
Narrative
(Continued)
his last medical examination, the accident pilot indicated that he had accumulated a total in
excess of 6,000 hours of flight experience, with over 100 hours having been accumulated within the
last 6 months.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident airplane, an Aero Vodochody, L-39C, Albatross, serial number 031803, was manufactured
by Aero Vodochody of the Czech Republic in 1980. According to the airplane’s flight manual it was
designed as a basic, and advanced trainer, as well as for use in light attack missions, when so
configured. The airplane was powered by an Ivchenko AI-25TL, turbofan engine, rated at 3,800 lbs
trust. The airplane is certificated in the experimental class, and in the exhibition category, and
was equipped with twin tandem ejection seats.
The airplane was registered to Best Jet Services LLC., of Gainesville, Florida, with the
certificate being issued on March 14, 2006. It was also marketed for airshow purposes by the pilot,
and was equipped for flight in day visual flight rules conditions. On the day of the accident the
airplane had been given a ramp check, and the results of the ramp check were recorded on an Airshow
Technical Inspection Form, in which no discrepancies were noted with either the accident airplane
or the pilot.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The Spacecoast Regional
Airport (TIX) 1842Z (1442EDT), surface weather observation was: winds from 260 at 24 knots,
visibility 7 statute miles, cloud coverage 3,000 feet scattered 10,000 broken, temperature 74
degrees F, altimeter 29.81 inHG.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Postcrash examination of the accident site revealed information consistent with the airplane having
impacted the terrain at high velocity, and in a relative flat attitude. The debris field consisted
of an area of about 368 feet long, oriented east to west, and about 184 feet wide. The east end of
the impact area began at a geographic position of 28 degrees 30.987 minutes North latitude, and 080
degrees, 48.216 minutes West longitude.
The accident site consisted of wooded soft muddy level terrain. The vegetation at the site
consisted of a mixture of palm trees, willow trees, maple trees, live oak trees, palmettos, ferns
and other scrub vegetation, which varied in height from knee-level to about 60 feet, and varied in
density from being relatively open to being dense and overgrown.
The impact crater and debris field were located at the eastern end, and were aligned east-to-west
approximately 800 feet north of the centerline of runway 09 - 27, approximately 150 yards in length
on an approximate magnetic direction of 270 degrees. The impact crater had an elliptical shape and
was about 4 feet deep, about 60 feet wide at its widest point, and about 100 feet long. There was a
mixture of aircraft debris and liquid which appeared consistent with that of a mixture that
included water, fuel and oil deposited in the crater.
On the south side of the crater, a major portion of the left wing was found. Several large palm
trunks had been uprooted and lay in a westerly direction consistent with witness accounts of the
last observed heading within the FAA approved airshow box. The debris field down stream of the
impact crater was generally a conical propagation pattern. To the immediate south of the debris
field the area was densely wooded and less debris was noted.
FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION
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National Transportation Safety Board
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
Narrative
(Continued)
The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces, impact related explosions, and the postcrash fire.
Sections of the aircraft wreckage were generally distributed with the heavier sections propagating
generally to the west along the centerline of the airshow box. The largest portions, including the
empennage, engine core, burned out cockpit, and sections of airframe were distributed along a
narrow westerly path from the crater and comprised about three quarters of the length of the debris
field. Smaller pieces of aircraft structural debris as well as well as airshow related marketing
literature were observed throughout the debris field, but they were not distributed in any distinct
pattern.
All aircraft gages had been destroyed by impact forces and/or the postcrash fire and the few gauges
that were discernable among the debris were unreadable and/or unreliable. Recovered gauges included
an altimeter which read 1,900 feet, and its Kollsman window which read 29.69 inHg; a combination
instrument to measure the turn rate and coordination, angle of bank, and vertical speed was also
found. The instrument showed about 10 degrees left wing down, with no other indications directly
discernible. An airspeed indicator was found and it showed "300" but no units were shown. An
instrument was located with a reading of 7 and a quarter, and it exhibited markings consistent with
an aircraft accelerometer. There was also an instrument with dual needles labeled 1 and 2, and
gauge face markings from 0 to 100 percent posessing markings consistent with those of a tachometer.
There was also the gage face plate with symmetrical left and right scales consistent with the wheel
brake pressure indicator.
On October 17, 2007, the NTSB examined the engine and noted evidence consistent with all engine
damage being related to the impact. There was ingestion of dirt shrubs, grass and other impact
related debris, and the rotational damage noted was in the direction opposite of rotation. Dirt,
leaves, and shrubs were found downstream in the engine, consistent with power being produced at
impact.
During the course of the on-scene examination, burnt and fragmented sections of the airplane’s two
ejection seats and cockpit canopy were among the debris, and they exhibited characteristics
consistent with the presence of explosive charges. As a result, the NTSB halted the investigation,
and requested assistance from members of the Titusville Police Bomb Disposal Unit. The Titusville
Police Department consulted with Patrick Air Force Base’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team,
who confirmed that the seats and canopy were armed with explosive devices. EOD personnel removed
the explosive devices from the accident scene, and neutralized the explosive charges.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Post mortem examination of the pilot was performed by a pathologist with the District 18 Medical
Examiner’s Office, Rockledge, Florida. The cause of death was attributed to be due to massive
multiple blunt force injuries. No findings, which could be considered causal, were reported.
The FAA Toxicology Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, conducted toxicology studies on specimens
from the pilot. The specimens were tested for ethanol and drugs, and none were found to be present.
TESTS AND RESEARCH
The NTSB received two digital video files on a CD media. The video had been filmed by spectators at
the airshow using hand held video cameras, and they captured the accident sequence. Both videos
followed the accident airplane while it was maneuvering prior to and during the accident. See the
NTSB Video Recording Factual Report.
FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION
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National Transportation Safety Board
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
Narrative
(Continued)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
On March 19, 2007, the NTSB released the airplane wreckage to Mr. David Gourgues, Regional Manager,
CTC Services Aviation (LAD) Inc.
Updated on Nov 17 2010 1:56PM
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National Transportation Safety Board
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
Landing Facility/Approach Information
Airport Name
Airport ID:
Airport Elevation
Runway Used Runway Length Runway Width
Space Coast Regional Airport
KTIX
Ft. MSL
09
5000
100
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Approach/Arrival Flown:
NONE
VFR Approach/Landing:
None
Aircraft Information
Aircraft Manufacturer
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works
Model/Series
L-39C
Serial Number
031803
Airworthiness Certificate(s):
Experimental (Special); Acrobatic
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Amateur Built Acft? No
Number of Seats: 2
Engine Type:
Turbo Jet
- Aircraft Inspection Information
Type of Last Inspection
- Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Information
Certified Max Gross Wt.
Engine Manufacturer:
Ivchenko
Date of Last Inspection
10360 LBS Number of Engines: 1
Model/Series:
Rated Power:
AI-25TL
3800 LBS
Time Since Last Inspection Airframe Total Time
Hours
488 Hours
ELT Installed?/Type No
Owner/Operator Information
Registered Aircraft Owner
Best Jet Services LLC
Operator of Aircraft
Best Jet Services LLC
Operator Does Business As:
- Type of U.S. Certificate(s) Held: None
Air Carrier Operating Certificate(s):
No
ELT Aided in Locating Accident Site? No
Street Address
824 University Avenue
City
State
Gainesville
FL
Street Address
824 University Avenue
City
State
Gainesville
FL
Operator Designator Code:
Zip Code
32601
Zip Code
32601
Operating Certificate:
Regulation Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Operation Conducted: Air Race/Show
Operator Certificate:
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National Transportation Safety Board
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
First Pilot Information
Name
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
City
State Date of Birth Age
On File
On File
On File
On File
58
Sex: M
Seat Occupied: Front
Occupational Pilot?
No
Certificate Number: On File
Certificate(s):
Airline Transport
Airplane Rating(s):
Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Rotorcraft/Glider/LTA:
Instrument Rating(s):
Instructor Rating(s):
Airplane
Airplane Single-engine
Current Biennial Flight Review?
Medical Cert.: Class 1
02/2007
Medical Cert. Status: With Waivers/Limitations
Date of Last Medical Exam: 11/2006
- Flight Time Matrix
All A/C
This Make
and Model
Airplane
Single Engine
Airplane
Mult-Engine
Night
Actual
Instrument
Simulated
Rotorcraft
Glider
Lighter
Than Air
Total Time
6000
Pilot In Command(PIC)
Instructor
Instruction Received
Last 90 Days
Last 30 Days
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Flight Plan/Itinerary
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point
State
Airport Identifier
Departure Time
Time Zone
Same as Accident/Incident Location
TIX
1430
EDT
Destination
State
Airport Identifier
Local Flight
TIX
Type of Clearance:
None
Type of Airspace:
Weather Information
Source of Wx Information:
Unknown
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National Transportation Safety Board
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
Weather Information
WOF ID
Observation Time
Time Zone
WOF Elevation
WOF Distance From Accident Site
Direction From Accident Site
TIX
1450
EDT
34 Ft. MSL
NM
Deg. Mag.
Sky/Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered
3000 Ft. AGL
Condition of Light: Day
Lowest Ceiling: Broken
10000 Ft. AGL
Visibility:
7
SM
Altimeter:
29.81
"Hg
Temperature:
24 ° C Dew Point:
°C
Weather Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Wind Direction: 260
Wind Speed: 24
Wind Gusts:
Visibility (RVR):
Ft.
Visibility (RVV)
SM
Precip and/or Obscuration:
Accident Information
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft Fire: Ground
Aircraft Explosion
Ground
- Injury Summary Matrix
Fatal Serious Minor None TOTAL
First Pilot
Second Pilot
Student Pilot
Flight Instructor
Check Pilot
Flight Engineer
Cabin Attendants
Other Crew
Passengers
- TOTAL ABOARD -
Other Ground
- GRAND TOTAL -
1
1
1
1
1
1
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National Transportation Safety Board
FACTUAL REPORT
AVIATION
NTSB ID: MIA07FA060
Occurrence Date: 03/16/2007
Occurrence Type: Accident
Administrative Information
Investigator-In-Charge (IIC)
John W. Lovell
Additional Persons Participating in This Accident/Incident Investigation:
Robert Jex
FAA FSDO
Orlando, FL
FACTUAL REPORT - AVIATION Page 5