Preliminary Report Provides Few Clues about Cause of Hawker Fatal

The Hawker 900XP crashed on February 7 in Utah, killing both pilots

NTSB Hawker 900X crash track (Photo: NTSB) — The NTSB depicted the track of the fatal flight of the Hawker 900XP on February 7. © National Transportation Safety Board

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

February 29, 2024

The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report on the February 7 fatal accident involving a Beechcraft Hawker 900XP contains details of the final flight. However, it sheds little light on what might have caused the twin-jet to descend seemingly out of control and crash near Westwater, Utah. The two pilots were killed in the planned Part 91 IFR positioning flight from Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), Colorado, to Gig Harbor, Washington.

The airplane, operated by Vici Aviation and managed by Clay Lacy Aviation, arrived at West Star Aviation’s facility at GJT on Dec. 20, 2023, for routine maintenance. According to West Star, multiple routine inspections had been completed on the airplane, including a requirement to remove the wing leading edges and TKS panels to inspect for cracks and signs of corrosion. After the inspections were completed, the airplane was returned to service on February 6.

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.