L39 Crashes at Titusville, FL Airshow

One dead in loss of L39 at Tico Airshow shortly after resumption of the show following earlier postponement due to heavy rain and winds.

Photos of type

Knew this aircraft and the pilot well. Worked at GNV for years. Sad to see this happen to him. He owned the aircraft for only about 1 - 1.5 years. Was scheduled to fly in th Gainesville airshow also.

Alarming number of crashes for this type. Too much airplane ?

From www.ntsb.gov:

2/26/2006
California City, CA
Aero Vodochody L39
N39DF
Fatal(2)

1/25/2006
Ketchikan, AK
Aero Vodochody L-39MS
N104XX
Fatal(1)

3/7/2005
Shreveport, LA
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C
N8098T
Nonfatal

10/19/2004
Hyak, WA
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C
N39TJ
Fatal(2)

8/24/2003
Forest Hill, MD
Aero Vodochody L-39ZO
N298RD
Fatal(1)

6/30/2003
Gadsden, AL
Aero Vodochody Aero Works L39C
N8125R
Fatal(1)

5/30/2003
Tracy, CA
Aero Vodochody L-39
N139RH
Fatal(1)

10/30/2001
Wilmington, DE
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C
N90688
Nonfatal

2/10/2001
Pecan Island, LA
Aero Vodochody L-39C
N901NL
Fatal(2)

1/24/2001
Watkins, CO
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39CT
N602MC
Fatal(2)

12/16/2000
HILTON HEAD ISL, SC
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C
N139CG
Nonfatal

9/18/1998
MESA, AZ
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39
N44529
Nonfatal

7/3/1998
TRAVERSE CITY, MI
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C
N7868M
Fatal(2)

10/11/1996
TILLAMOOK, OR
Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-29
N7150A
Fatal(2)

:open_mouth:

Most likely, It has to do with the type of pilots flying that aircraft. Let me say that I’m certain that there are some very fine pilots flying L-39s. However, from what I’ve observed and heard from other professional pilots, most of the owners are low-time pilots with more money than brains or skills. These folks (rich egomaniacs) see them simply as a cool jet fighter to impress others with, instead of understanding that they are very complex, high-performance aircraft that demand serious skills and respect. Personally, I can’t stand the sight of the aircraft because every one I’ve ever come across was flown by one of “those” guys.

Footage of the airshow crash: liveleak.com/view?i=861_1174085714

Nice photo](Fotogaléria www.lietadla.com)
nice take-off photo ](Aero L-39C Albatros - Untitled | Aviation Photo #1097485 | Airliners.net)