Narrative:
One or more low-order explosions in the aft fuselage resulted in a fire. While climbing trough 3000 feet following departure, the plane lost control and crashed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "One or more low-order explosions in the aircraft's aft fuselage which resulted in a fire and loss of control capability. The Safety Board could not determine conclusively the fuel and ignition sources of the initial explosion; however, gases from the aircraft's batteries or fuel leakage from fuel system components, or both, could have been present in the area of the initial explosion."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 8 September 1977 |
| Time: | 20:20 |
| Type: |  Learjet 25B |
| Operator: | Champion Home Builders |
| Registration: | N999HG |
| MSN: | 25-178 |
| First flight: | 1974 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 700 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near Sanford, NC ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport, NC (KTTA), United States of America |
| Flint-Bishop Airport, MI (FNT/KFNT), United States of America |
One or more low-order explosions in the aft fuselage resulted in a fire. While climbing trough 3000 feet following departure, the plane lost control and crashed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "One or more low-order explosions in the aircraft's aft fuselage which resulted in a fire and loss of control capability. The Safety Board could not determine conclusively the fuel and ignition sources of the initial explosion; however, gases from the aircraft's batteries or fuel leakage from fuel system components, or both, could have been present in the area of the initial explosion."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Inflight fireLoss of control
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 3 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport, NC to Flint-Bishop Airport, MI as the crow flies is 906 km (567 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
Distance from Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport, NC to Flint-Bishop Airport, MI as the crow flies is 906 km (567 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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Learjet 25
- 373 built
- 10th loss
- 8th fatal accident
- 4th worst accident (at the time)
- 12th worst accident (currently)
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