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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 18, 1994 · Learjet 25D · XABBA

Chantilly, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1994
Injury Outcomes
12 injuries (12 fatalities)
Location
Chantilly, VA
Aircraft
Learjet 25D
Tail Number
XABBA
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DCA94MA061

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED 0.8 NM SOUTH OF THE THRESHOLD OF THE RUNWAY DURING AN ILS APPROACH IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE CAPTAIN WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO ATTEMPT THE APPROACH AND WAS RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED FOR AN APPROACH UNDER THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CAPTAIN FAILED TO ADHERE TO ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF AIRMANSHIP DURING TWO UNSTABILIZED APPROACHES. AFTER THE UNSUCCESSFUL ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 1R, THE CAPTAIN SHOULD HAVE HELD FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WEATHER, REQUESTED THE RUNWAY 19L ILS, OR PROCEEDED TO HIS ALTERNATE. AN OPERATING GPWS ABOARD THE AIRPLANE WOULD HAVE PROVIDED CONTINUOUS WARNING TO THE CREW FOR THE LAST 64 SECONDS OF FLIGHT AND MIGHT HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE POOR DECISIONMAKING, POOR AIRMANSHIP, AND RELATIVE INEXPERIENCE OF THE CAPTAIN IN INITIATING AND CONTINUING AN UNSTABILIZED INSTRUMENT APPROACH THAT LED TO A DESCENT BELOW THE AUTHORIZED ALTITUDE WITHOUT VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A GROUND PROXIMITY WARNING SYSTEM ON THE AIRPLANE. (NTSB REPORT AAR-95/02)

Full Narrative

On June 18, 1994, at 0625 eastern daylight time, a Mexican registered Learjet 25D, XABBA, collided with the terrain during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach about 1/4 mile from the threshold of runway 1R at Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia. The certificated pilot; the certificated co-pilot; and all ten passengers received fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed during the impact sequence. The airplane was being operated as a non-scheduled passenger charter flight by TAESA of Mexico City, Mexico, a 14 CFR 129 certificated carrier operating in the U. S. A. under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Mexico at 2315 hours, re-fueled and cleared U. S. Customs in New Orleans, Louisiana, and departed there at 0355 hours. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight arrived in the Washington, DC area and executed an ILS approach to IAD. The flight crew executed a missed approach and was attempting a second ILS approach at the time of the crash. ADDITIONAL PERSONS(CONTINUED): MARK TAYLOR, GENERAL ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT ENGINES, 1000 WESTERN AVE., LYNN, MA 01910

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:25 EDT
Nearest AirportWashington Dulles Intl (1nm S)
Runway1R
Runway Length11500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLearjet 25D
Tail NumberXABBA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 129
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGe · CJ610-6 · Turbojet
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury Summary12 injuries (12 fatalities)
Fatal12
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total12
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility0.5 sm
Ceiling500 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data