Safety
AOPA Institute Takes Closer Look at CL605 Truckee Crash
Animation uses ATC transcripts and NTSB documentation to depict the accident sequence
NTSB Challenger 605 crash Truckee, California
Accident airplane’s flight path during final approach after crossing the runway centerline © NTSB

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released an accident case study video for the July 26, 2021, fatal crash of a Bombardier Challenger 605 in Truckee, California, while attempting a circle-to-land approach in marginal VMC. The accident near Truckee Tahoe Airport (KTRK) killed all six onboard—two pilots and four passengers.

According to the NTSB final report, the accident was caused by “the first officer’s improper decision to attempt to salvage an unstabilized approach by executing a steep left turn to realign the airplane with the runway centerline, and the captain’s failure to intervene after recognizing the FO’s erroneous action.”