NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendations After Fatal Hawker Stall Test Accidents

Report cites deficiencies in pilot training and post-maintenance procedures for the jets.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, January 08, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A 2008 Hawker 900XP [Credit: FLYING Archive]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB issued urgent recommendations after fatal accidents involving Hawker 800/900XP jets during post-maintenance stall test flights, finding flight crews were unprepared for unexpected stall characteristics.
Investigations revealed deficiencies in manufacturer-provided information, pilot training, and procedures for safely conducting these specific stall tests.
The NTSB urged Textron Aviation to define pilot qualifications, develop detailed stall test plans, and revise manuals to include descriptions of adverse stall behavior and recovery procedures.
Recommendations also included informing owners and operators that the required training for these tests exceeds typical operational pilot qualifications and for the FAA to ensure these changes are implemented.

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Fatal accidents involving Hawker 800 and 900XP jets have prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to issue emergency recommendations for post-maintenance stall tests.

According to the 20-page report, the agency found deficiencies in the information provided to aircraft owners, operators, and pilots relating to training and procedures required to safely conduct post-maintenance stall test flights of Hawker aircraft, including the 700, 800, 800XP, 850XP, and 900XP.