2012 Aero Vodochody L39C Crash in Alabama (N16RZ)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On January 20, 2012, at 1818 CST, an experimental Aero Vodochody L39C airplane, registration N16RZ, collided with trees while maneuvering near Rainbow City, Alabama. The aircraft, registered to Fighter Town USA LLC, was operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91. It sustained substantial damage and a postcrash fire occurred. The flight departed Northeast Alabama Regional Airport (GAD) in Gadsden, Alabama, at approximately 1817, en route to Burlington, North Carolina. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The pilot, a certificated airline transport pilot (ATP), was fatally injured. Witnesses reported the pilot conducted a prefight inspection, started the engine, and departed runway 24. Shortly after takeoff, loud explosions were heard, and the aircraft was found crashed in a wooded area off the departure end of runway 24. The pilot had requested IFR clearance from FAA Birmingham Approach Control at 1815, with the clearance issued at 18:16:31. No further radio contact was made after departure. The base of radar coverage at GAD was 4,000 feet, and the airport was below weather minimums at the time.