Gates Learjet 25B N5LL

Summary

On 26 November 1990 at about 11:15 local time, a Gates Learjet 25B registered N5LL, operated by Connie Kalitta Services Inc, was involved in an accident near Chicago, Illinois, United States. 3 people were on board. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 November 1990 at 11:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Chicago O'hare (ORD)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Gates Learjet 25B

Registration

N5LL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Connie Kalitta Services Inc

Operating rule

Part 91F: Special Flt Ops.

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ypsilanti → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI91FA032

Injuries not recorded.

THE DRIVER'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE COMPANY'S CONFIGURING THE TRUCK WITH MIRRORS WHICH OBSTRUCT FORWARD VISIBILITY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A TAXIING TWIN TURBOJET COLLIDED AT NIGHT WITH AN AIRLINE SERVICE TRUCK IN AN INTERSECTION OF A TAXIWAY AND SERVICE ROAD. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND DRY. THE AIRCREW SAW THE TRUCK SLOW APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION AND DID NOT NOTICE IT AGAIN UNTIL IT ENTERED THE TAXIWAY. THE DRIVER STATED HE STOPPED, DID NOT SEE THE PLANE AND PROCEEDED. THE CREW STATED TAXI LIGHTS, ROTATING BECAONS AND NAVIGATION LIGHTS WERE ON. THE TAXIWAY AND INTERSECTION WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE BACKGROUND IN THE DRIVER'S VIEW TO THE APPROACHING AIRPLANE WAS A BRIGHTLY LIT TERMINAL. THE DRIVER'S VIEW FROM THE TRUCK CAB WAS PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED BY EYE-LEVEL MIRRORS MOUNTED OUTBOARD ON EACH DOOR FOR A REAR VIEW PAST THE TRUCK'S CUSTOM BODY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.