Final Report: Roll Overstressed Learjet

Bombardier Learjet 35A, Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 10, 2007–The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an in-flight maneuver, which took the airplane beyond its design stress limits. A factor was the excessive airspeed encountered during recovery, which caused substantial damage to the airplane’s left wing and elevator assembly.

After the pilot did an intentional aileron roll during cruise, at night, the captain reported that the “maneuver got out of control” while descending through FL200. He said the airplane “oversped” and experienced “excessive g-loads” during recovery. The copilot reported that the roll maneuver resulted in a “nose-down unusual attitude” and a “high-speed dive.” The Learjet is registered to Airnet Systems of Columbus.