NTSB: ADS-B Shows Unstabilized Approach for Learjet in El Cajon Accident

Both pilots and two flight nurses on board were killed when the aircraft came down just east of the airport.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 02:19 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The NTSB preliminary report for the fatal December Learjet crash at Gillespie Field indicates the aircraft was in an unstabilized approach while attempting a circle-to-land maneuver.
All four occupants died after the pilot, who had switched runways and cancelled IFR for the maneuver, reportedly struggled with visibility and experienced significant altitude fluctuations.
The aircraft struck power lines and crashed approximately 1.4 miles east of the airport in a neighborhood, with the wreckage oriented 40 degrees off the intended runway heading.

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The Learjet involved in a fatal accident in December at Gillespie Field (KSEE) in El Cajon, California, was in an unstabilized approach as the pilot attempted to circle for landing, according to the preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Both pilots and two flight nurses on board were killed when the aircraft came down approximately 1.4 miles east of the airport.