Learjet 35 crash, May 16, 1997, Great Falls
Learjet 35 accident on May 16, 1997 near Great Falls, Montana, United States with no fatalities. Cause: The captain's inadequate preflight planning and...
- Date: May 16, 1997
- Aircraft: Learjet 35
- Location: Great Falls, Montana, United States
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The captain's inadequate preflight planning and improper response to a simulated engine failure, leading to liftoff below the speed needed for sustained flight.
During a takeoff from Great Falls, the Learjet lifted off below a safe airspeed after the crew had reduced thrust on one engine as a training exercise. It crashed to the left of the runway and caught fire. Both crew escaped with minor injuries.