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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB's preliminary report on a fatal Learjet crash at Gillespie Field, which killed all four occupants, indicates the aircraft was in an unstabilized approach while attempting a circle-to-land maneuver.
The pilot, likely seeking a longer runway due to wet conditions, canceled IFR to conduct a night VFR circle-to-land, despite reporting difficulty seeing the airport.
During the approach, the aircraft's altitude fluctuated significantly before striking power lines and crashing approximately 1.4 miles east of the airport.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.