Accidents
Final Report: Disoriented in fog, pilot crashed Learjet 25 on takeoff
LEARJET 25, ITHACA, N.Y., AUG.

LEARJET 25, ITHACA, N.Y., AUG. 24, 2001–The NTSB determined the probable cause of this accident to be the pilot’s failure to maintain a proper climb rate while taking off at night, resulting in spatial disorientation. Additional factors included low visibility and cloud conditions, and the dark night.

At about 5:42 a.m. EDT Learjet N153TW, operated by Ameristar Jet Charter, was destroyed when it crashed on departure from Ithaca Tompkins County Airport. Both the ATP-rated pilot and commercial-rated copilot were killed. There were no passengers on board the aircraft for the Part 135 on-demand cargo flight destined for Jackson, Mich. Night IMC existed at the time of the accident, and the aircraft was on an IFR flight plan.

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