Business AviationNTSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendation on Learjet Landing Gear After Fatal Scottsdale Accident
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent safety recommendation on October 29 regarding the main landing gear of Bombardier Learjet aircraft, following a fatal accident at Scottsdale Airport, Arizona.
The recommendation arose from the investigation of a February 10 crash in which a Learjet 35A departed the runway and collided with a stationary Gulfstream G200, resulting in the death of the captain and serious injuries to other occupants.
The NTSB’s directive affects 1,883 in-service Learjet aircraft spanning 10 models. Investigators identified three prior events where the main landing gear detached from the fuselage due to incomplete engagement of the retaining bolt.
Following the accident, Bombardier issued a service bulletin, but only 12% of the affected fleet has undergone the recommended inspections. The NTSB has called for immediate operator action to mitigate further risk.
Operators must respond to the NTSB recommendations within 30 days. Surveillance footage from Scottsdale showed the 1989 Learjet 35A, registered N81VN, veering off the runway before striking the parked Gulfstream, which was subsequently displaced.
The Learjet 35A involved sustained severe cockpit damage. The aircraft was registered to musician Vince Neil, though he was not on board at the time of the accident.
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