Engine failure doubtful in Learjet crash

Neither engine showed any signs of catastrophic failure or fuel starvation, according to the NTSB’s preliminary investigation into the crash of an Air Cargo Express Learjet 24D (N887TD, operating as Turbodog 36) nearing El Paso, Texas, on December 10. The two pilots were killed when the aircraft hit the ground in a “predominantly vertical angle” while descending on a clearance from 39,000 ft to 10,000 ft msl. Virtually all the wreckage was contained in an impact crater that measured about six feet deep and 17- by 30-ft wide. No distress call was made. The Safety Board is also investigating why the jet’s CVR did not record any data (see page 82).