# NTSB LAX77AA019: Lear Jet 24B, N12MK, Palm Springs, CA, January 6, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 6, 1977
- Place: Palm Springs, CA · PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Location: 33.8303° N, 116.5453° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm Springs, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8303&lon=-116.5453&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77AA019
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77AA019

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0967   77/1/6  NR.PALM SPRINGS,CA    LEAR JET 24B        CR-  2  0  0  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1700                    N12MK               PX-  2  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            36, 4150 TOTAL HOURS, 532
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LAS VEGAS,NV                RETURN                      PALM SPRINGS,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISUNDERSTANDING OF ORDERS OR INSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL: OTHER
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- CREW MISINTERPRETED IFR CLNC & ATC INSTRUCTIONS.CONTROLLER FAILED TO DETECT DEVIATION FRM ROUTE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12MK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12MK-1977-11-15), registration cancelled 1977-11-15, S/N 192 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEAR JET 24B
- Registry model: [Learjet 24B](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-24b) (registry code 5170306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770106039189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770106039189A), Jan 6, 1977: Lear 24B, Palm Springs, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crew misinterpreted IFR clnc & ATC instructions. Controller failed to detect deviation frm route.

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.

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