Crash of a Learjet 25XR near Madinah: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N51DB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
25-246
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While approaching Madinah Airport in limited visibility due to marginal weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control, entered a near vertical descent and crashed on the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It was reported that both elevators were not found at the point of impact and were missing. It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of the elevator detachment in flight.

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Waterville

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1984 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1JR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Waterville - White Plains
MSN:
25-188
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10440
Captain / Total hours on type:
375.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3168
Circumstances:
During preflight preparation for departure from a short field the pilot failed to remove the Pitot tube covers. On takeoff roll, the stall warning light began to flicker. Pilot noted airspeed was not registering but did not consider this unusual in the early part of a takeoff roll. Pilot turned left stall warning switch off, then back on, warning light remained on. Pilot then initiated abort procedures, using full reverse thrust and brakes. The aircraft overran runway by about 100 feet and down a rough embankment which separated the landing gear.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: overrun
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
1. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. Pitot/static system - blocked (total)
3. (f) airspeed indicator - disregarded - pilot in command
4. Warning system (other) - engaged
5. (c) remedial action - delayed - pilot in command
6. Aborted takeoff - performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: complete gear collapsed
Phase of operation: takeoff
Findings
7. (f) terrain condition - downhill
8. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
9. Landing gear - overload
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25D in Eagle County

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1983 at 1540 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N300PL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Louis - Aspen
MSN:
25-247
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8376
Captain / Total hours on type:
735.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2887
Circumstances:
While en route, the aircrew encountered stronger headwinds than expected. They realized there would not be enough fuel reserves for an IFR flight to Aspen, so they elected to divert to Eagle, CO. However, their landing at Eagle was delayed due to a snowplow (with no radio) on the runway. After circling and reentering final approach, the aircrew noted that the snowplow was still on the runway, headed in their direction. They continued their approach and the snowplow cleared the runway. According to the snowplow operator, the aircraft was 100 to 200 feet agl when it crossed the threshold. A FSS specialist noted that the aircraft was still airborne when it passed the 2nd turnoff, approximately 2,300 feet from the threshold. After touching down on the snow covered runway, the pilot deployed the spoilers and immediately applied braking action, but was unable to stop on the remaining runway. The aircraft continued off the end of the runway, went down a 15 feet bank and ran into a small ravine. The runway gradient was 1.4% downhill, elev 6,538 feet. Drag chute was not deployed, 600 lbs fuel remaining. All six occupants were evacuated, among them five were injured, one seriously.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - unfavorable wind
2. (f) weather condition - high wind
----------
Occurrence #2: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
3. (c) delayed - pilot in command
4. (f) airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered
5. Airport snow removal - performed
6. Precautionary landing - continued - pilot in command
7. (c) proper touchdown point - not attained - pilot in command
8. (f) fluid, fuel - low level
9. Go-around - not performed - pilot in command
10. (f) miscellaneous equipment - not used - pilot in command
11. (f) airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - downhill
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
12. (f) terrain condition - downhill
13. (f) terrain condition - ditch
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Wilmington

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1983 at 0724 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N108PA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wilmington - Danville
MSN:
25-195
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4304
Captain / Total hours on type:
1420.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4758
Circumstances:
After lift-off a flock of birds approached from left to right at about 400 feet. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft behind and above the birds in an attempt to avoid them. Both engines flamed out and the aircraft made a forced landing on a road. Ground witnesses described the climbout as '...very steep...' and '...a steep angle, between 40° 45°.' There was some bird residue on the engines. Both pilots escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - non mechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (f) maneuver - performed - pilot in command
2. (c) aircraft performance, climb capability - exceeded
3. (c) aircraft handling - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
4. (f) aircraft performance, two or more engines - inoperative
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
5. Object - bird(s)
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
----------
Occurrence #5: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
6. Landing gear, main gear - overload
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25D in Lagos

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5N-ASQ
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
25-344
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reasons. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Learjet 25B in the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-CDPD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Vienna - Hamburg
MSN:
25-177
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Vienna-Schwechat Airport on a training flight to Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel, West Germany. After 40 minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 39,000 feet, radio contact was lost with the crew who failed to respond to any ATC calls. The aircraft failed to descend to Hamburg and continued over the Atlantic Ocean. Decision was taken to dispatch a fighter plane and the military crew confirmed that there was no activity and no movement on board once he reached the flying Learjet. After fuel exhausted, both engines stopped and the airplane entered a dive until it crashed in the Atlantic Ocean, about 560 km northwest off Scotland. Few debris were found while the main wreckage disappeared in the sea. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the accident was the consequence of an unexpected cabin depressurization was not ruled out, maybe following the failure of a seal or a protection valve.

Crash of a Learjet 25 in Newark: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1983 at 0514 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N51CA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Newark
MSN:
25-030
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
CA27
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5100
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4112
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1488
Aircraft flight hours:
5750
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a night check courier flight. During arrival, the indicated airspeed was well above the legal limit of 250 knots for flight below 10,000 feet. Runway 04R was selected for landing after the crew were advised that their original choice (runway 11) was noise sensitive. They were advised not to descend below 2,000 feet until on final approach. The turn to final was completed about one mile from the runway at an altitude of approximately 700 feet. A steep (5°) final approach was flown with an estimated 1,000 fpm rate of descent. On landing, the aircraft bounced, banked/turned to the right, then it hit the ground, right wing first and burned. An exam of the wreckage revealed the aircraft was configured with the gear extended, the flaps down 20° and the spoilers retracted. No evidence of a preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. The trim was set for a heavy right wing and the fuel switches were set to x-feed fuel. Toxicological checks showed that both pilots had used or been exposed to marijuana and had CO2 in their blood from smoking; use of medication (phenylpropanolamine) by copilot. Evidence of possible fatigue/stress to both. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The probable causes of this accident were:
- Loss of control following ground contact,
- An unstabilized approach,
- Impairment of the flightcrew judgment, decision making, and flying abilities by a combination of physiological and psychological factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Rio Branco: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-JBQ
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Porto Velho – Rio Branco
MSN:
25-119
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The approach to Rio Branco-Presidente Médici Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions. On final approach in rain falls, the crew was unable to locate the unlighted runway and decided to initiate a go-around. A second approach was abandoned few minutes later for the same reasons. During a third attempt to land, the airplane stalled and crashed 5 km from the airport. It was destroyed on impact and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines on final approach due to fuel exhaustion following three unsuccessful approaches. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor weather conditions,
- Poor visibility,
- Poor flight planning,
- Lack of Company assistance,
- Operational deficiencies,
- Infrastructures deficiencies.

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Uberaba

Date & Time: May 16, 1982 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-KZY
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Araxá – Uberaba – Brasilia
MSN:
25-204
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a taxi flight from Araxá to Brasilia with an intermediate stop in Uberaba. After touchdown on runway 17, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, went through a fence, crossed a road and came to rest in a ditch. All 10 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Learjet 25XR near Narsarsuaq: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HZ-GP5
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
25-199
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was cleared to descend from FL310 to 9,000 feet when the airplane struck the slope of an ice covered mountain located about 130 km northeast of Narsarsuaq. The wreckage was found at an altitude of about 2,630 meters and both pilots were killed. For unknown reasons, the airplane descended at an insufficient altitude to clear the obstacles.