Accidents
Learjet crashes on foggy takeoff
LEARJET 25, ITHACA, N.Y., AUG.

LEARJET 25, ITHACA, N.Y., AUG. 24, 2001–Investigators are delving into the circumstances that caused a Learjet to crash into a fence on takeoff from the Tompkins County Airport in Ithaca. The flight lasted only seconds and the business jet came to rest less than half a mile from the departure end of Runway 32. Both of the ATP-rated pilots perished.

Originating in the predawn hours from Newark, N.J., the jet arrived at Ithaca at 0430 for fuel and cargo. One pilot filed an IFR flight plan and shortly before 0600 the crew departed for Jackson, Mich. A certified meteorologist reported the weather at 0550 as 100 ft overcast and half a mile visibility in fog. The wind was calm and the temperature and dew point were matched at 17 deg C.