# NTSB FTW87NA086: Learjet 24A, N31SK, Eagle, CO, March 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1987, 20:45 local (Mar 28, 1987, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Eagle, CO
- Coordinates: 39.649574, -106.819404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6496&lon=-106.8194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87NA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87NA086

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command
  - approach charts - inaccurate (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31SK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Learjet 24A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-118
- Airframe hours: 8432
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kalitta Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 5, 1987, 96 hours before
- Departed: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Destination: EGE, EAGLE, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: EGE, Eagle County, runway 7, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EGE, 4 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870327007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870327007749A), Mar 27, 1987: Lear 24A, Eagle, CO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into the side of a mountain at night on a circling approach. Clouds in area. Pilots charts didnt show mountain

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.