# NTSB GAA15CA096: Aero Vodochody L39, N6175C, Grand Junction, CO, May 28, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 28, 2015, 12:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Grand Junction, CO - Coordinates: 39.122501, -108.526664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1225&lon=-108.5267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91257 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91257/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91257 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA096 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and subsequent failure to remain clear of power line wires while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while flying over a river at an altitude of about 100 feet above water and ground level, at 250 knots, the airplane impacted unmarked power line wires that spanned the river. The power line wires are clearly identified on the Visual Flight Rules Sectional Aeronautical Chart. The pilot immediately established a climb and returned to the airport without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose, left wing, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, while flying over a river at an altitude of about 100 feet above water and ground level, at 250 knots, the airplane impacted unmarked power line wires that spanned the river. The power line wires are clearly identified on the Visual Flight Rules Sectional Aeronautical Chart. The pilot immediately established a climb and returned to the airport without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the nose, left wing, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N6175C (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: AERO VODOCHODY L39 (C) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 432942 - Year built: 1984 - Engines: IVCHENKO AI-25TL 3800 horsepower turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 2014, 32 hours before - Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO - Destination: GCK, GARDEN CITY, KS - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,944.8 total, 458.6 in this make and model, 2,902.5 as pilot in command, 135.6 in the last 90 days, 94.5 in the last 30 days, 37 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20150528007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150528007389A), May 28, 2015: Aero Vodochody L39C, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed rwy 29 after filing IFR but requesting VFR take-off. Aircraft turned back to the east along ridge to the north of gjt and saw a water feature… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91257. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane Nose (item 2, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20Nose-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Wing Aileron (item 3, .PDF, 996 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Wing%20Aileron-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Vertical Stabilizer (item 4, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Vertical%20Stabilizer-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.