AERO VODOCHODY L-39

Full Narrative

On April 10, 2026, about 1210 mountain daylight time, an Aero Vodochody L39, N136EM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ennis, Montana. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries, and the pilot undergoing instruction was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The flight was conducted in preparation for an upcoming checkride for the pilot undergoing instruction, who was seated in the front seat. The flight crew was performing a practice instrument approach to runway 16 at Ennis - Big Sky airport and were descending through 8,500 ft mean sea level when the pilot began to slow the airplane and configure it for landing.

The pilot stated that as the airplane slowed to 190 knots, the engine rolled back to zero thrust, and the flight instructor reported that when the throttle was advanced, the engine did not respond. The instructor assumed control of the airplane and slowed it to best glide airspeed while the pilot began performing engine relight procedures. The engine did not restart, and with limited altitude available, the crew decided to perform a forced gearup landing to an open field rather than risk ejecting.

The pilot provided guidance to the flight instructor during the final approach and flare, and the airplane touched down facing uphill, eventually coming to rest about 500 yards beyond the touchdown point.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage and both wings during the accident sequence.