Gates Learjet 24D accident near Sierra Blanca, TX
On December 11, 2001, a Gates Learjet 24D (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sierra Blanca, TX. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 11, 2001
- Place
- Sierra Blanca, TX
- Aircraft
- Gates Learjet 24D · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 31.533°N, 105.626°W
- NTSB ID
- 20011220X02424
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 10, 2001, at 1821 mountain standard time, a Gates Learjet 24D transport category, twin turbojet airplane, N997TD, operating as Turbodog 36, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following an uncontrolled descent near Sierra Blanca, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Air Cargo Express Inc., of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The airline transport rated captain and the commercial rated co-pilot sustained fatal injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The flight originated from the Harlingen Valley International Airport, Harlingen, Texas, at 1700, and was destined for the El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas. It should be noted that unless otherwise indicated, all times are in mountain standard time (MST). According to radar and communication data obtained from the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZAB ARTCC), they provided air traffic control service during the descent portion of the flight from a point approximately 115 miles southeast of ELP. At 1809:26, ZAB cleared the pilot to descend "at pilot's discretion" from Flight Level (FL) 390 to 10,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged, stating "we'll take it nice and slow." At 1814:42, ZAB instructed the pilot to turn left ten degrees for separation from ELP departing traffic. The pilot acknowledged. At 1817:28, ZAB asked the pilot to "increase rate of descent if you can." The pilot replied that they would increase the descent by 1,
Probable cause
loss of control during descent for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: Texas · Gates Learjet aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
