Narrative:
The Learjet 24B, N234CM, departed Memphis International Airport, TN bound for Dallas-Addison Airport, Texas with two crew aboard, including NASA astronaut-candidate Susan Reynolds. The aircraft continued past Addison and was then intercepted by a U.S. Air Force Northrop T-38 Talon but the pilot was unable to contact the crew. He reported that the cockpit windows appeared to have frost on the inside. The Learjet entered Mexican airspace and flew on until the fuel was exhausted. It entered a spin and crashed near Cuatro Ciénegas.
Loss of control
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 16 December 1988 |
| Type: |  Learjet 24B |
| Operator: | Crown Center Aviation |
| Registration: | N234CM |
| MSN: | 24-214 |
| First flight: | 1970 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Cuatro Ciénegas ( Mexico)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Memphis International Airport, TN (MEM/KMEM), United States of America |
| Dallas-Addison Airport, TX (ADS/KADS), United States of America |
The Learjet 24B, N234CM, departed Memphis International Airport, TN bound for Dallas-Addison Airport, Texas with two crew aboard, including NASA astronaut-candidate Susan Reynolds. The aircraft continued past Addison and was then intercepted by a U.S. Air Force Northrop T-38 Talon but the pilot was unable to contact the crew. He reported that the cockpit windows appeared to have frost on the inside. The Learjet entered Mexican airspace and flew on until the fuel was exhausted. It entered a spin and crashed near Cuatro Ciénegas.
Classification:
Flightcrew incapacitationLoss of control
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
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 Memphis International Airport, TN to Dallas-Addison Airport, TX as the crow flies is 668 km (418 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Memphis International Airport, TN to Dallas-Addison Airport, TX as the crow flies is 668 km (418 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few 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.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation