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.
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.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering, killing the commercial pilot and a pilot-rated passenger.
- The accident occurred during formation flight with two other jet airplanes under visual conditions.
- Witnesses observed the accident airplane attempt a sharp climbing turn to join up, then pitch upwards, roll left over the other planes in a nose-low attitude, and descend into the terrain, resulting in a post-crash fire.
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