Aero Vodochody L-139 accident near Bridgeport, Texas, April 19, 2023

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot and the flight instructor departed in the tandem-seat airplane for an instructional flight. Upon arriving at the destination airport, a low approach was performed. The airplane did not land, and it climbed out. During the second approach, a no-flap landing was to be performed. While on a straight-in approach about one mile from the runway, the flight instructor reported the airplane encountered a “large flock of large birds.” The flight instructor, who was not flying at the time, was looking for possible bird strike damage sustained to the wings, the engine, and the empennage. While looking for the possible bird strike damage, he felt the sink rate increasing. He then initiated a go-around. As the nose of the airplane started to rise for the go-around, the airplane impacted the top of a large tree. After the airplane impacted the tree, the airplane landed upright and traveled on the ground before coming to rest partially inside of a barn. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The pilot was unable to recall what occurred during the accident flight. No signs of bird remains were observed on the airframe or in the engine. Data from an engine monitoring unit showed the engine performance parameters were normal during the accident flight. The engine power increased from 36% to 92% N1 during the last five seconds of recorded data. An airplane performance study revealed that after the airplane performed a low approach to runway 18, the engine power was reduced during the subsequent climb out and the throttle was not increased until the airplane was on the final approach and approximately 124 ft above field elevation. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain a stabilized approach path due to her distraction while looking for possible bird strike damage. This distraction resulted in her allowing the airplane to impact a tree. It is likely that the flight instructor failed to initiate timely remedial action as he was also distracted while looking for possible bird strike damage. Toxicological testing of the pilot’s postaccident specimens indicated that she had used amphetamine. According to the FAA, amphetamine is a “do not issue/do not fly” medication. Amphetamine use can adversely affect cognition, impulse control, perception of risk, and judgment/decision-making. Medical conditions for which amphetamine may be used, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or narcolepsy, can be impairing. There was no specific indication in reviewed records that the pilot had such a condition; however, this possibility cannot be excluded. Toxicological testing also detected phenylpropanolamine in the pilot’s urine, which is a minor metabolite of amphetamine. The pilot’s amphetamine level does not predict specific impairing effects. Based on the available evidence, the contribution of the pilot’s amphetamine use to the accident cannot be determined.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

Photographs from the investigation 18 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them

Photograph 1 – View of the airplane in flight at the airport just prior to the accidentPhotograph 2 – View of the airplane in flight at the airport just prior to the accidentPhotograph 3 – View of the barn the airplane impacted.Photograph 4 – View of the front left side of the airplane inside of the barn.Photograph 5 – View of the front right side of the airplane inside of the barn.Photograph 6 – View of the left side of the airplane in the barn.Photograph 7 – View of the rear of the airplane in the barn.Photograph 8 – View of the right side of the airplane in the barn.Photograph 9 – View of the two seating positions in the barn.Photograph 10 – View of the two seating positions in the barn.Photograph 11 – View of the front cockpit in the barn.Photograph 12 – View of the rear cockpit in the barn.Photograph 13 – View of trees that were impacted by the airplane prior to impacting the barn.Photograph 14 – View of the ground damage caused by the airplane prior to impacting the barn.Photograph 15 – View of the fuel being recovered from the airplane.Photograph 16 – View of the airplane being recovered from the barn.Photograph 17 – View of the airplane recovered from the barn.Photograph 18 – View of the airplane being loaded onto a trailer for transport.

The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.

Other NTSB records under N1390A the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time