Aero Vodochody L 39 accident near Norfolk, Virginia, September 23, 2016
On September 23, 2016 at about 4:15 pm local time, a 1974 Aero Vodochody L 39, registered N139AJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Norfolk, Virginia (Hampton Roads Executive airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An uncommanded flap retraction for reasons that could not be determined, as a postaccident examination of the flap system did not reveal evidence of any preaccident anomalies.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 2016 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Norfolk, Virginia · Hampton Roads Executive · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aero Vodochody L 39 ZO, built 1974 · all L 39s on the register
- Registration
- N139AJ · no longer on the register · serial 330214
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the private pilot of the jet trainer airplane, the airplane was on final approach for landing about 100 ft above ground level and 60 ft from the runway threshold, when there was an "uncommanded" retraction of the flaps. He adjusted the airplane's pitch and advanced the throttle in order to compensate for the flap retraction, increasing the airspeed from 90 knots to 130 knots. The airplane touched down on the runway and the pilot applied the brake pedals, followed by the emergency brake. As the airplane began to veer toward the side of the runway, the pilot released the emergency brake and continued to apply brakes using the brake pedals. The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway, struck trees, and came to rest about 1,050 ft from the end of the 5,350ft-long runway. While impact-related damage prevented a functional test of the airplane's normal and emergency flap extension systems, an examination of the flap system components revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the airplane's increased speed at the time of touchdown resulted in the runway excursion.
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.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Trailing edge flaps › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,450 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 1,100 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,016.9 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 9,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ivchenko AL-25SERIES (turbojet); 1,500 hours total
- Operator: Warbirds LLC
The flight
- Departed from: LYH Lynchburg VA at 3:45 pm
- Destination: PVG Norfolk VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 5,350 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,600 ft; scat at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from PVG, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on October 30, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Landing Distance Data | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.