Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C accident near Hyak, Washington, October 19, 2004
On October 19, 2004 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C, registered N39TJ, was destroyed in an accident near Hyak, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of aircraft control during climb to cruise due to an undetermined flight control malfunction.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 2004 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hyak, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Aero Vodochody Aero. Works L-39C
- Registration
- N39TJ · no longer on the register · serial 812041
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the en route climb to cruise, the pilot was cleared to 17,000 feet by the controller. About one minute later, the pilot was given a clearance to proceed direct to his ultimate destination, and at that time he gave no indication of having encountered any problem. Then about five seconds after receiving the clearance, the pilot advised Center that he had a flight control problem. About ten seconds after that, he stated that he had an in-flight emergency, and about fifteen seconds after declaring the emergency, the pilot transmitted three times in a rapid excited voice that he was "out of control." The controller was not able to make any further radio contact with the aircraft, which soon thereafter descended into the terrain at a high rate of speed. The aircraft wreckage was not found for over eight months, and when located was determined to be in over 1,000 pieces over a distance of approximately one-half mile. Due to the extent of the disintegration of the aircraft, no determination could be made as to the exact flight control malfunction that had occurred.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,950 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 10,360 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ivchenko AI-25-TL (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KBFI Seattle WA at 6:46 pm
- Destination: KLWS Lewiston ID
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KELN, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.