Aero Vodochody L39C and Aero Vodochody L39C mid-air collision near Reno, Nevada, June 14, 2013
On June 14, 2013, 2 aircraft, Aero Vodochody L39C (N8124N) and Aero Vodochody L39C (N2399V), were involved in a mid-air collision near Reno, Nevada (Reno/Stead Airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to see and avoid the other airplane during an air race training session, which resulted in a midair collision.
The other pilot’s failure to see and avoid the airplane during an air race training session, which resulted in a midair collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2013 · cases in 2013
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · Reno/Stead Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Aero Vodochody L39C · all L39Cs on the register
- Registration
- N8124N · no longer on the register · serial 330211
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Aero Vodochody L39C · all L39Cs on the register
- Registration
- N2399V · registry record · serial 031633
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Aero Vodochody L39C final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two airplanes, Race 99 and Race 777, collided in midair during a practice closed-course air racing session. At the time of the collision, four airplanes were navigating the course. Three of the airplanes were being flown in formation by rookie race pilots who were learning the race course and establishing landmarks to navigate the pylons. Race 99 was the last airplane in the three-ship rookie formation flight. The other airplane, Race 777, was being flown by a certified racer. The president of the jet class reported that the certified racer was instructed to avoid the three-ship rookie formation because it was maneuvering at slower speeds around the course for orientation. After the three-ship rookie formation flew around pylons 1 through 3 and began to maneuver the turn around pylon 4, Race 777 approached Race 99 from behind at a lower altitude and a considerably higher speed likely because the pilot had experience flying the race course. As both airplanes maneuvered around pylon 4, Race 777, which was lower and closer to the inner area of the race course, caught up to Race 99 and collided with it. Following the collision, both airplanes landed without further incident.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Aero Vodochody L39C final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two airplanes, Race 99 and Race 777, collided in midair during a practice closed-course air racing session. At the time of the collision, four airplanes were navigating the course. Three of the airplanes were being flown in formation by rookie race pilots who were learning the race course and establishing landmarks to navigate the pylons. Race 99 was the last airplane in the three-ship rookie formation flight. The other airplane, Race 777, was being flown by a certified racer. The president of the jet class reported that the certified racer was instructed to avoid the three-ship rookie formation because it was maneuvering at slower speeds around the course for orientation. After the three-ship rookie formation flew around pylons 1 through 3 and began to maneuver the turn around pylon 4, Race 777 approached Race 99 from behind at a lower altitude and a considerably higher speed likely because the pilot had experience flying the race course. As both airplanes maneuvered around pylon 4, Race 777, which was lower and closer to the inner area of the race course, caught up to Race 99 and collided with it. Following the collision, both airplanes landed without further incident.
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 for the Aero Vodochody L39C from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,791 hours in all; 287 in this make and model; 96 in the last 90 days; 41 in the last 30 days; 13,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 11, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,911 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, August 31, 2012; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,362 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ivchenko AL-25SERIES (turbojet); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 11:15 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 14, 9,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 pm from RTS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Aero Vodochody L39C from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,208 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 5, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,500 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, June 1, 2012; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,362 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ivchenko AL-25SERIES (turbojet); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 11:15 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 26, 7,608 ft by 150 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N8124N: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Aero Vodochody L-39 198 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Aero Vodochody 218 aircraft on the register
- N2399V on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Aero Vodochody L-39 198 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Aero Vodochody 218 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Ivchenko AL-25SERIES 66 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Ivchenko AL-25SERIES 66 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Reno/Stead Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Nevada 1,294 since 1982 · 223 in the last ten years
- Nevada 4,591 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR13LA270.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.