Learjet 24 crash, Dec 10, 2001 (2 killed), Sierra Blanca
Learjet 24 accident on December 10, 2001 near Sierra Blanca, Texas, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause: Loss of control during descent for...
- Date: December 10, 2001
- Aircraft: Learjet 24
- Location: Sierra Blanca, Texas, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Loss of control during descent for undetermined reasons. The NTSB found no airframe or engine anomaly before impact, and the airspeed exceedance and in-flight structural separation were noted.
On a cargo positioning flight from Harlingen to El Paso, the crew read back a wrong frequency and an unintelligible word during descent. The jet then climbed back to FL231 and entered a steep, rapid descent, exceeding its maximum operating speed. The right wing and part of the tailplane separated before it hit the ground, and both pilots were killed.