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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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December 8, 1985 · Learjet 35A · N15TW

Rochester, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 8, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Rochester, MN
Aircraft
Learjet 35A
Tail Number
N15TW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA042

THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A SERIES OF PRACTICE APPROACHES TO A FULL STOP. THE TRAINING FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED TO GIVE REFRESHER TRAINING TO THE PILOT WHO HAD NOT FLOWN A LEAR JET IN OVER A YEAR AND HAD NEVER FLOWN A LEAR MODEL 35. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REQUESTED A PRACTICE APPROACH WITH A MISSED APPROACH AND WAS CLEARED FOR THE OPTION. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED RIGHT AND THEN ROLLED LEFT TO AN INVERTED POSITION. COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A SERIES OF PRACTICE APPROACHES TO A FULL STOP. THE TRAINING FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED TO GIVE REFRESHER TRAINING TO THE PILOT WHO HAD NOT FLOWN A LEAR JET IN OVER A YEAR AND HAD NEVER FLOWN A LEAR MODEL 35. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REQUESTED A PRACTICE APPROACH WITH A MISSED APPROACH AND WAS CLEARED FOR THE OPTION. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED RIGHT AND THEN ROLLED LEFT TO AN INVERTED POSITION. COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:39 CST
Nearest AirportRochester Muni (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length7533 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLearjet 35A
Tail NumberN15TW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGarrett · TFE-731-2-2B · Turbofan · 3500
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data