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July 4, 2009, Tehachapi, Calif., Aero Vodochody L-29

At about 1329 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were killed. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported three jet airplanes overflew the area on a westerly heading at about 500 feet agl. The accident airplane was observed trailing low and to the right of the other two airplanes, and was slightly oscillating to the left and right.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane crashed and was destroyed at 1329 Pacific time while maneuvering, killing the commercial pilot and a pilot-rated passenger.
  • Witnesses reported the accident airplane, part of a three-jet formation, made a sharp climbing turn to join up, then pitched upwards and rolled left before descending nose-low into the terrain.
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At about 1329 Pacific time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were killed. Visual conditions prevailed.

Witnesses reported three jet airplanes overflew the area on a westerly heading at about 500 feet agl. The accident airplane was observed trailing low and to the right of the other two airplanes, and was slightly oscillating to the left and right. The witnesses reported the three airplanes initiated a right turn, and the accident airplane made a sharp right climbing turn to join up. Subsequently, the accident airplane pitched upwards and rolled to the left over the other two airplanes, transitioning from the right side to the left side. The accident airplane completed the roll in a nose-low attitude and descended into terrain where a post-crash fire ensued.

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