Learjet 25 crash, Aug 24, 2001 (2 killed), Ithaca-Tompkins
Learjet 25 accident on August 24, 2001 near Ithaca-Tompkins, New York, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper...
- Date: August 24, 2001
- Aircraft: Learjet 25
- Location: Ithaca-Tompkins, New York, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate during the night takeoff, caused by spatial disorientation. Low visibility, low cloud and the dark night were factors.
The Learjet 25 cargo flight took off from Ithaca in fog and darkness with a low cloud layer. It struck a fence and the ground about 1,000 feet beyond the runway end after a steep climb. Both pilots were killed, and the wreckage showed no airframe or engine anomaly.