NTSB Head: Part 135 Needs Same Safety Tools as Airlines | Aviation International News

NTSB Head: Part 135 Needs Same Safety Tools as Airlines

NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said the May 2017 crash of a Learjet makes the case that Part 135 operators need the same safety tools as the airlines have.

NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said the May 2017 crash of a Learjet makes the case that Part 135 operators need the same safety tools as the airlines have. (Photo: NTSB)

By Chad Trautvetter • Online Editor

March 12, 2019

“If Part 135 aviation had the same tools as Part 121,” including safety management systems (SMS), flight data monitoring (FDM), and crew resource management (CRM), “we might not be here today,” NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt said this morning during a board meeting on the May 15, 2017 fatal crash of a Learjet 35A during an approach to Teterboro Airport. “This accident might never have happened.”

According to Sumwalt, “The pilots allowed the aircraft to stall, and they subsequently lost control of the aircraft as they were turning onto final approach while on a poorly flown circling approach.” The airplane struck a building and a parking lot and was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire, killing both pilots.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Become a Member

Already a member? Sign In

District Court Rejects Appeal of GARA-related Lawsuit

Plaintiffs argued that police aircraft are exempt from GARA statute of repose

Helicopter accident flight path

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

Teen Driver Breaches Fence, Hits PlaneSense PC-12 at KPSM

Vehicle also struck parked ground-support tractor; there were no injuries

the pilatus PC-12 photographed on a ramp

NBAA Report Flags Powerplant, Collision Risks in Q2 Data

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

Joe Sharkey with Embraer Legacy 600 involved in collision

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

rural runway

NTSB Cites Heliport Misidentification in Aug. 2025 Crash

Captain opted out of instrument approach over autopilot concerns

Image courtesy Texas Department of Public Safety

Fire of Unknown Origin Led to 2024 Citation X Accident

NTSB: Ignition source could not be conclusively identified

Number 2 battery