Accidents adn incidents

Air Classics, May 2001 by Larkins, William T

On 12 February, Aero Vodochody L-39C N901NL was completely destroyed in a crash at Pecan Island, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger were killed. The L-39C was part of the Northern Lights' new L-39C aerobatic team which was scheduled to debut at airshows this year. The aircraft had left the airport at Lafayette for an aerobatic practice flight. Further details to come.

On 24 January, at 1127 Mountain Standard Time, Aero Vodochody L39C N602MC was destroyed when it impacted terrain while on departure from Front Range Airport, Watkins, Colorado. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. MAC Flightlease of Portland, Oregon, was operating the Albatros under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to witnesses, the airplane departed from runway 26 and turned crosswind for a southbound departure. The airplane was observed to pitch-up approximately 30 degrees and drop immediately to the ground. Impact destroyed the Albatros. Pilot was Michael A. Chowdry, founder and CEO of the all 747 Atlas Air, and Jeff Cole, the aerospace editor for the Wall Street Journal, was the passenger.

On 21 January, approximately 1515 Central Standard Time, Nanchang CJ-6 N6373S was destroyed when it struck a tower guy wire while in cruise flight near Edgewood, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed Magnolia, Arkansas, approximately 1255 with a planned destination of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

On 12 December 2000, British Strike master G-BXFX crashed near Louth, Lincolnshire, with fatal results