Accidents
Learjet crashes on takeoff
LEARJET 25B, PITTSBURGH, PA., NOV.

LEARJET 25B, PITTSBURGH, PA., NOV. 22, 2001–On Thanksgiving Day a business jet owned by Universal Jet Aviation crashed while on takeoff. The two pilots on board were headed home to Florida’s Boca Raton Airport (BCT) in clear skies and good visibility. Airborne for mere moments, the Learjet ran off the left side of Runway 28L and burst into flames, killing both pilots.

Several witnesses watched the attempted departure at about 1300. An FBO employee made it a point to watch the Learjet take off and recounted his observations: “I like to hear the noisy engines and watch them rocket out of the airport.” From the vantage point of an air stair, the witness reported seeing the takeoff roll: “I noticed for an empty Learjet 25 it was sure using lots of runway.” He told NTSB investigators the copilot said it was his leg home.