NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendations After Fatal Hawker Stall Test Accidents

Report cites deficiencies in pilot training and post-maintenance procedures for the jets.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, January 08, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A 2008 Hawker 900XP [Credit: FLYING Archive]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB issued urgent safety recommendations following fatal accidents involving Hawker 800/900XP jets during post-maintenance stall test flights.
Investigations revealed deficiencies in the training, procedures, and information provided to pilots, leaving them unprepared for "unacceptable stall characteristics" such as uncommanded roll or lack of natural stall warning in these aircraft.
Recommendations mandate Textron Aviation to define specialized pilot training and experience criteria, develop comprehensive stall test plans with recovery procedures, revise manuals to describe adverse stall behaviors, and inform operators that the required flight crew training exceeds typical operational pilot qualifications.

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Fatal accidents involving Hawker 800 and 900XP jets have prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to issue emergency recommendations for post-maintenance stall tests.

According to the 20-page report, the agency found deficiencies in the information provided to aircraft owners, operators, and pilots relating to training and procedures required to safely conduct post-maintenance stall test flights of Hawker aircraft, including the 700, 800, 800XP, 850XP, and 900XP.