# Accident 20051228030489A: Lear 35A, Truckee, CA, December 28, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 28, 2005, 14:06 local time
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Airport: Truckee-Tahoe Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: S2KA
- Location: 39.3131° N, 120.1244° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3131&lon=-120.1244&mi=10
- Aircraft: N781RS, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N781RS-2008-10-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Gates Learjet 35A (registry code 5170602, https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-learjet-35a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Garrett TFE731 series (registry code 29001, https://openairdocs.org/engine/garrett-tfe731-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEAR 35A
- Reported engine: GARRTT TFE731*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 4,880 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 143 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX06FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA071) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051228030489A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AIRCRAFT FLEW FROM TWIN FALLS, ID (TWF) FOR TRUCKEE, CA (TRK). THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLEARED FOR THE VOR/DME RNAV GPS-A APPROACH. THE WEATHER FIVE MINUTES PRIOR TO THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CEILING 1500'BKN, 2400'OVC, VISIBILITY 1 1/2 SM LIGHT RAIN AND MIST, WINDS 210 DEGREES AT 24 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 34 KNOTS. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH, PASSING OVER RUNWAY 10/28 AND ENTERING A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 28. SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT USED A STEEPER THAN NORMAL BANK TURNING BASE LEG AND WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 300-400 FEET AGL. TWO WITNESSES STATED THEY LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT ON THE BASE LEG. SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ROLL WINGS LEVEL MOMENTARILY ON THE TURN TO FINAL; IT WAS DESCENDING AT A HIGH RATE. ALL WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT THEN ROLLED INTO A LEFT 60 DEGREE BANK, FOLLOWED BY A QUICK LEFT ROLL TO A 90 DEGREE BANK AND A SHARP NOSE DROP TOWARD THE HORIZON. AT THAT POINT IT HIT THE GROUND 2052' EAST OF THE END OF RUNWAY 28 AND 306' NORTH OF THE EXTENDED CENTERLINE. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 150 YARDS FURTHER WEST. A SHORT FIRE ENSUED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO PILOT OCCUPANTS WERE KILLED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX06FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA071), Dec 28, 2005: Learjet 35A (N781RS), Truckee, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in a steep turn close to the ground.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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