Aero Vodochody L39 and Aero Vodochody L 39 mid-air collision near Reno, Nevada, September 14, 2018
On September 14, 2018 at about 5:04 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Aero Vodochody L39 (N139UK) and Aero Vodochody L 39 (N139PJ), 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot of the race 13 airplane's failure to maintain clearance from the race 37 airplane during the closed course air race.
The pilot of the race 13 airplane's failure to maintain clearance from the race 37 airplane during the closed course air race.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2018 · about 5:04 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · Reno/Stead · 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 L39 C, built 1982 · all L39s on the register
- Registration
- N139UK · registry record · serial 031822
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Aero Vodochody L 39, built 1982 · all L 39s on the register
- Registration
- N139PJ · registry record · serial 232226
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Aero Vodochody L39 final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the closed course air race, the pilot of the race 13 airplane announced that he was passing the race 37 airplane on his right. A video recording of the midair collision showed that, as the two airplanes approached one of the racecourse pylons, race 13 was in a slight left bank behind race 37, which was in a level attitude. Shortly after, race 37 initiated a left bank, while race 13 was rapidly approaching race 37 from behind. Just before the collision, race 13 rolled out of the turn to an almost level attitude. The two airplanes then collided, which resulted in damage to the right wing and aileron of race 37 and damage to two inspection panels and fairings on the forward left side of the fuselage of race 13. Both airplanes landed uneventfully after the collision. The pilot of race 13 failed to maintain adequate separation from race 37 while overtaking the other airplane.
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 L 39 final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the closed course air race, the pilot of the race 13 airplane announced that he was passing the race 37 airplane on his right. A video recording of the midair collision showed that, as the two airplanes approached one of the racecourse pylons, race 13 was in a slight left bank behind race 37, which was in a level attitude. Shortly after, race 37 initiated a left bank, while race 13 was rapidly approaching race 37 from behind. Just before the collision, race 13 rolled out of the turn to an almost level attitude. The two airplanes then collided, which resulted in damage to the right wing and aileron of race 37 and damage to two inspection panels and fairings on the forward left side of the fuselage of race 13. Both airplanes landed uneventfully after the collision. The pilot of race 13 failed to maintain adequate separation from race 37 while overtaking the other airplane.
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 L39 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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: balloon; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,137 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 51 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 3,835 as pilot in command; 1,257 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 10,028 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ivencheko AI-25-TL (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 4:50 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from KRTS, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
The factual record for the Aero Vodochody L 39 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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,100 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 55 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 4,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 18, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,296.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 10,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ivchenko AL25TL (turbofan); 879 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 4:50 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR18LA267.