NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On February 10, 2001, approximately 1200 central standard time, an Aero Vodochody L-39C experimental single engine jet airplane, N901NL, registered to and operated by Northern Lights Aerobatics USA Inc., of Lafayette, Louisiana, was destroyed upon impact with terrain while maneuvering in the vicinity of Pecan Island, Louisiana. The private pilot and his passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette, Louisiana, at 1137.

Several witnesses, located within 1/4 miles of the accident site, observed the tandem-seat jet aircraft maneuvering at low altitude over the pilot's hunting camp for several minutes prior to the accident. They stated that the jet was flying "inverted" prior to ground impact. A few of the witnesses remarked that they observed what they thought to be the pilot attempting to roll upright as the airplane impacted the ground at a high rate of speed.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The 40-year old pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter ratings. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he had accumulated 2,058 hours, of which 316 were in the L-39C. All of the 316 hours in the L-39C were logged from March 1999 to the date of the accident. Documents were found that indicated that the pilot had been enrolled in a pilot training course for the L-39C during March 1999, conducted at International Jets Inc., Gadsden, Alabama. On March 30, 1999, he received a letter of authorization (LOA) from the FAA which authorized him to act as pilot-in-command in the L-39C. On November 14, 2000, the pilot received his Aerobatic Competency Evaluation (ACE) in the L-39C, with an 800 foot AGL altitude restriction. No "high performance" or "high altitude" endorsements were found in the pilot's records, as required by 14 CFR Parts 61.31(f) and 61.31(g) for the operation of high performance aircraft. The pilot held a valid second-class medical certificate, dated March 4, 1999, with no waivers or limitations. The pilot was reported to be a financial contributor to the Northern Lights Aerobatics Team.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The 1980 model L-39C, serial number 031804, was manufactured in Czechoslovakia and was imported to the United States in 1999. It was powered by an Ivchenko AI-25TL turbo fan engine. The airplane had accumulated a total of 1,000 airframe hours at the time of the accident. Its airworthiness certificate was issued on March 10, 1999, at a total time of 899 hours. Its last inspection was completed on September 28, 2000, at a total time of 930 hours. The airplane was equipped with a functional ejection seat system. The airplane was primarily utilized by the Northern Lights Aerobatics Team.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The accident site was located in an open marshy field at grid coordinates, North 29 degrees 39 minutes and West 92 degrees and 26 minutes. The field was bordered by medium sized trees and was covered by about 12 inches of water. Upon arrival on-scene, the NTSB investigator-in-charge coordinated with the local sheriff and fish and wildlife representatives to drain the field for access to the main wreckage. The main wreckage was found embedded in a large crater approximately 20 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep. Some of the fuselage could be seen within the crater, however, it was apparent that most of the wreckage was buried. The engine and a portion of the tail section were found atop the forward edge of the crater and displayed severe impact damage. Some evidence of post impact fire was found adjacent to the engine and the forward part of the crater. Continuous draining revealed a linear ground impression about 26 feet long and 12 inches deep that connected to the crater and corresponded to the longitudinal axis of the airplane. The bearing of the ground impressions and wreckage was about 010 degrees magnetic.

Since the airplane was severely fragmented and mostly embedded in the soft terrain, a recent photograph of N901NL was used to match paint chip patterns found in the linear ground impression and crater. The tail position light and blue paint chips were found embedded in the southern tip of the linear impression. Progressing toward the crater, mixes of blue/yellow and blue/yellow/red paint chips were found embedded in the impression. The pattern of the paint chips in the impression correlated to the paint scheme on the top side of the airplane.

Flight control continuity could not be established due to the extent of damage, however, all sections of the airplane and flight control surfaces were found and identified with no unusual anomalies other that impact damage.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Toxicology tests and an autopsy were not performed due to the condition of the pilot's body.

TESTS AND RESERCH

The Powerplants Group accompanied by the NTSB IIC, partially disassembled and examined the engine at Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas, on February 26, 2001. No pre-impact anomalies were discovered during the examination. Detailed findings of the examination can be found in the Powerplants Group Chairman’s Factual Report.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

According to radar records and a statement provided by an FAA inspector, the pilot had flown "vigorous" aerobatic flight sequences in an Extra 300L type aircraft several hours prior to his accident flight in the L-39. The pilot's logbooks indicated that he had not flown aerobatic maneuvers in the Extra 300L during the eight months prior to the date of the accident. The two types of aircraft flown on the day of the accident had dissimilar flight envelopes, configurations, sight pictures, and relative speeds.

The FAA inspector, who also had given the pilot aerobatic instruction in the past, stated that the pilot could have been impaired during the accident flight due to "acute fatigue" from his aerobatic flights earlier in the morning.

The wreckage was released to the owner's representative on June 22, 2001.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain while performing low level aerobatics. A factor was fatigue.