Learjet 45XR N279AJ

Summary

On 3 January 2009 at about 23:59 local time, a Learjet 45XR registered N279AJ, operated by Aero Jet Services, was involved in an accident near Telluride, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 January 2009 at 23:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Telluride, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Telluride Regional Airport (KTEX)

Coordinates

37.8703, -107.9086

Aircraft

Learjet 45XR

Registration

N279AJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Aero Jet Services

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Scottsdale → Telluride

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09LA116

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of both pilots to positively identify the runway prior to landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane and two-person crew departed on a positioning flight. The pilot-in-command was not flying the airplane and sat in the right seat. The second-in-command was the pilot flying and sat in the left seat. The accident occurred on the second attempt to land at the destination airport on a snow-covered runway. While descending for the airport, the pilot not flying the airplane called the runway in sight. After assessing that they were too high the pilot not flying convinced the pilot flying to circle the airplane down to land on the runway. Circling at speeds greater than allowed by the approach categories, the crew performed a 360-degree turn to align themselves with the runway. The pilot flying did not have the runway in sight, and was verbally assisted by the pilot not flying. Both pilots stated that they were aligned with the center of the runway. During the flare to touchdown the pilot flying reported an unexpected gust of wind from the left requiring a correction. The airplane touched down about 20 feet off and to the right of the runway edge. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's wing and fuselage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.