Aero Vodochody Aero Works L-39C N39TJ

Summary

On 19 October 2004 at about 19:00 local time, a Aero Vodochody Aero Works L-39C registered N39TJ was involved in an accident near Hyak, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 October 2004 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hyak, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.3847, -121.2703

Aircraft

Aero Vodochody Aero Works L-39C

Registration

N39TJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Seattle → Lewiston

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA05LA133

2 people died.

The loss of aircraft control during climb to cruise due to an undetermined flight control malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the en route climb to cruise, the pilot was cleared to 17,000 feet by the controller. About one minute later, the pilot was given a clearance to proceed direct to his ultimate destination, and at that time he gave no indication of having encountered any problem. Then about five seconds after receiving the clearance, the pilot advised Center that he had a flight control problem. About ten seconds after that, he stated that he had an in-flight emergency, and about fifteen seconds after declaring the emergency, the pilot transmitted three times in a rapid excited voice that he was "out of control." The controller was not able to make any further radio contact with the aircraft, which soon thereafter descended into the terrain at a high rate of speed. The aircraft wreckage was not found for over eight months, and when located was determined to be in over 1,000 pieces over a distance of approximately one-half mile. Due to the extent of the disintegration of the aircraft, no determination could be made as to the exact flight control malfunction that had occurred.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.