Lear Jet Corporation

Learjet 31

The aircraft was engaged in a demonstration flight to potential customers and was carrying five passengers and two pilots. On final approach to Taiyuan-Wuzu Airport, following a certain confusion in the cockpit, the crew forgot to lower the undercarriage. The aircraft landed on its belly and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest on the runway, bursting into flames. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Learjet 23

A Lear Jet Model 23, N804LJ, operated by the Lear Jet Corporation crashed eight miles east-northeast of Jackson, Michigan, at approximately 1935 e.s.t., on October 21, 1965. The pilot and copilot were killed. There were no passengers. The aircraft was destroyed by impact. The flight was operating in accordance with an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan from Detroit, Michigan to Wichita, Kansas, at an assigned altitude of Flight Level 250. The radar controller working the radar contact at 1933, and observed the target traveling in a southwest direction ". . . when the aircraft started a sharp turn to the right (i.e. north) (sic). As the aircraft passed through a northerly heading the beacon target disappeared from the radar." The aircraft was traversing an area of moderate to severe turbulence when it deviated from the assigned route.

Learjet 23

The crew was engaged in a local test flight at Wichita Airport on this first model of the Lear 23. At liftoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. Out of control, it struck the ground, rolled for several yards and came to rest in flames in a wasteland. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.