Reno, NV, USA
N129MM
AEROVODOCHODY L-29 DELFIN
On September 18, 2022, about 1544 Pacific daylight time, a Aerovodochody L29-Delphin, N129MM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Reno, Nevada. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 Air Race flight. The accident airplane, operated as Race 29, was on lap 3 of 6. Witnesses reported that the accident airplane began a climb as it neared outer pylon no. 4 and appeared to tighten its left turn back toward the inner portion of the racecourse. At the peak of the climb, the airplane entered an approximate 90° right bank and started a descent before it rolled left to an approximate 90° bank. The airplane continued to descend in a steep left bank, nose-low attitude until it impacted terrain just beyond outer pylon no. 5. A photograph (Figure 1) captured by a witness just prior to impact showed that all primary flight controls remained attached to the airframe at the time of the accident. Figure 1: Photo provided by a witness of the accident airplane just prior to impact with terrain. Examination of the accident site (Figure 2) revealed that the airplane impacted terrain on a magnetic heading of about 229°. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) with terrain was a swath of freshly disturbed dirt, consistent with a left-wing impact. The swath of disturbed dirt continued for about 180 ft to a large burn area, which contained various fragments of wreckage. The 2,200 ft long debris path continued along a magnetic heading of about 242° degrees and contained fragments of wreckage along with portions of both wings, empennage, and engine. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination. Figure 2: Aerial view of the accident site provided by Nevada State Patrol, with annotations of pylon and wreckage locations.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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