Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

According to an NTSB <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21177175-report_wpr22fa068_104445_1_11_2022-5_55_30-pm">preliminary report</a>, the Learjet 35A involved in a December 27 fatal accident struck powerlines and subsequently crashed into the yard of a home about 1.43 nm east of the approach end of Runway 27R at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California. At the time of the accident (7:14 p.m. local), the twinjet was flying a Part 91 repositioning flight from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California. The two pilots and two nurses were killed. The aircraft, N880Z, was registered to MedJet of El Cajon.

 


At about 7:08 p.m., the report said the pilot contacted Gillespie Tower to report they were on a GPS approach to Runway 17, which is 4,145 feet long with a 450-foot displaced threshold. After the controller cleared N880Z to land, the pilot reported the airport in sight and requested to squawk VFR and land on Runway 27, which is 5,342 feet long and has a 706-foot displaced threshold.

 


Asked by the controller if he wanted to cancel his IFR flight plan, the pilot replied, “Yes sir.” The controller then instructed the pilot to overfly the field, enter left traffic for Runway 27R, and cleared the aircraft to land. A few seconds later, the pilot requested that the lights for Runway 27R be increased, to which the controller responded, “The lights were already at 100 percent.”

 


Preliminary ADS-B data shows that N880Z overflew the airport at 775 feet msl (407 feet agl) and entered a left downwind for Runway 27R. While on the downwind leg, the airplane descended to about 365 feet agl and then climbed to approximately 500 feet agl while on the base leg. The last recorded ADS-B target was 7:14 p.m. at an altitude of about 460 feet ft agl.

 


At 6:55 p.m. the airport weather was reported as wind variable at five knots, visibility three statute miles, mist, broken cloud layer at 2,000 feet, overcast cloud layer at 2,600 feet, temperature of 10 degrees C, dew point of 8 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

NTSB: Learjet 35A Hit Powerlines During Fatal Crash

The Learjet 35A involved in a December 27 fatal accident struck powerlines and subsequently crashed about 1.43 nm east of Gillespie Field in California.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

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

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

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

NBAA Report Flags Powerplant, Collision Risks in Q2 Data

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair 

David Jack Kenny

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In Accidents

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

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

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

NTSB Cites Heliport Misidentification in Aug. 2025 Crash

Captain opted out of instrument approach over autopilot concerns

Fire of Unknown Origin Led to 2024 Citation X Accident

NTSB: Ignition source could not be conclusively identified

NTSB: Bell 206L Damage Caused by Aeroelastic Interaction

Helicopter experienced a vertical hop for which the pilot didn’t know the recovery procedure

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN