Hop-A-Jet President Reflects on 2024 Crash After NTSB Findings

Company has made changes to training and procedures amid pursuit of claims against GE Aerospace.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, May 01, 2026 at 02:04 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The Hop-A-Jet Challenger 604 involved in the 2024 crash. [Credit: Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Charter]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB determined that the fatal 2024 Hop-A-Jet crash resulted from corrosion in the GE CF34-3B engines' variable geometry (VG) system, causing dual engine failure.
In response, GE implemented updated inspection procedures before the final report, and the FAA is issuing an Airworthiness Directive (AD) to mandate specific engine tests and borescope inspections for corrosion.
Hop-A-Jet has revised pilot training to recognize "hung starts" as key indicators of potential VG system issues and enhanced cabin crew egress training, while also filing a lawsuit against GE, alleging known engine defects and concealment.

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The only good thing that can come out of an aviation accident is the information learned through a subsequent investigation, which can be used to make aviation safer.

That’s the attitude of Barry Ellis, president of Hop-A-Jet, in response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s final report on the 2024 crash of a company jet in Florida. The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident to be corrosion found in the engines.