![A 1991 Learjet 35A [Credit: FLYING Archive]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/1991Learjet35A-3.jpg?width=1200&height=799)
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an urgent recommendation for the owners and operators of certain Bombardier Learjets to check the security of the landing gear stemming from the preliminary investigation into the fatal runway excursion at Arizona’s Scottsdale Airport (KSDL) in February.
At this time the NTSB investigation into the incident involving a Learjet 35A and a Gulfstream G200 jet is ongoing. However, the agency does not need to wait until the end of its probe to issue recommendations in the name of safety. Recipients have 30 days to respond.
What Happened
According to the NTSB, on the afternoon of February 10, 2025, as the Learjet 35A was landing, it exhibited a left-wing-low attitude and began veering left. The aircraft went off the runway and onto the ramp, colliding with a parked Gulfstream G200.
The captain of the Learjet was killed, and the first officer and passenger were seriously injured. An occupant in the Gulfstream was also seriously injured. The preliminary NTSB report (WPR25FA088) indicates a person aboard the Learjet also sustained minor injuries.
During the investigation the agency determined the left main landing gear separated during the accident sequence. The landing gear was found on an adjacent taxiway.
The Investigation
Part of the investigation has involved looking for similar mishaps involving the Learjet. The NTSB learned of three prior events in which Learjet landing gear disconnected from the airframe because the retaining bolt was not engaged through the aft trunnion pin:
- On October 4, 1995, the left main landing gear of a Learjet 25B collapsed during landing rollout at Will Rogers International Airport (KOKC) in Oklahoma City.
- On February 4, 2001, the left main gear of a Learjet 25B separated from the airframe shortly after touchdown at Saint Lucie County International Airport (KFPR)—now Treasure Coast International Airport—in Fort Pierce, Florida, and the airplane skidded off the left side of the runway.
- On March 28, 2008, a Learjet VU-35A operated by the Brazilian Air Force experienced a runway excursion after the left main landing gear collapsed upon touchdown at Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport (SBRF) in Brazil.
According to the NTSB, Bombardier issued a service bulletin after the Scottsdale accident asking operators of the affected Learjets to perform a one-time check of the landing gear to make sure they were correctly attached. According to Bombardier, only 12 percent of subject airplanes have been inspected.
The NTSB has submitted the urgent recommendation to the FAA that would require operators of 10 Learjet models, approximately 1,883 aircraft presently in use, to comply with manufacturer service bulletins on landing gear maintenance.
![The NTSB has issued an urgent recommendation to check the landing gear on Learjets stemming from a landing accident in Scottsdale, Arizona. [Credit: NTSB]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-29-at-1.webp?width=1024&height=570)
Additionally, the agency tendered a second recommendation that would require Bombardier to revise procedures to include a postmaintenance visual check of the position of the aft landing gear trunnion pin and retaining bolt.
In the absence of a required verification step, a mechanic could inadvertently install the retaining bolt without it passing through the trunnion pin, leaving the gear insecurely attached to the airframe. The agency noted the misassembly is not readily detectable during routine maintenance or preflight inspections.
The final NTSB report on the Scottsdale accident is likely still a year away.
The complete agency recommendation can be found below:
