Aero Vodochody L39C N2399V and Aero Vodochody L39C N8124N accident near Reno, Nevada

Probable cause

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.

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR13LA270 for the full record.