June 23, Boca Raton, Fla. / Learjet 55 and Extra 300S

At about 11:41 eastern time, a Learjet 55 and and Extra EA-300S collided in flight about 2 miles southwest of the Boca Raton Airport. The three occupants of the Learjet were killed and the pilot of the Extra, U.S. Aerobatics Team member John Lillberg, was also killed. The Extra had departed Pompano Beach Airpark about four minutes before the collision and the Learjet departed runway 23 at Boca about 1 minute 30 seconds before impact. The Extra was cruising at 2,400 feet on a heading of 341 when the Learjet took off. As it climbed out, the Learjet turned to a heading of 269. Shortly before the collision, the Extra turned to a heading of 360. A witness said the Extra appeared to begin an evas...

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A mid-air collision occurred between a Learjet 55 and an Extra EA-300S near Boca Raton Airport, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants.
  • The deceased included U.S. Aerobatics Team member John Lillberg, who was piloting the Extra aircraft.
  • The collision happened while the Learjet was climbing out after takeoff and the Extra was cruising, with both aircraft altering course shortly before impact and the Extra attempting an evasive maneuver.
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At about 11:41 eastern time, a Learjet 55 and and Extra EA-300S collided in flight about 2 miles southwest of the Boca Raton Airport. The three occupants of the Learjet were killed and the pilot of the Extra, U.S. Aerobatics Team member John Lillberg, was also killed. The Extra had departed Pompano Beach Airpark about four minutes before the collision and the Learjet departed runway 23 at Boca about 1 minute 30 seconds before impact. The Extra was cruising at 2,400 feet on a heading of 341 when the Learjet took off. As it climbed out, the Learjet turned to a heading of 269. Shortly before the collision, the Extra turned to a heading of 360. A witness said the Extra appeared to begin an evasive maneuver with a descending turn just before impact.

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