Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner

Historical safety data and incident record for the Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner aircraft.

Safety Rating

9.7/10

Total Incidents

19

Total Fatalities

58

Incident History

April 12, 2010 4 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Morganton Georgia

The crew departed Pensacola NAS, Florida, for a training flight. En route, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located 8 km northeast of Morganton. All four occupants were killed.

January 10, 2006 4 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Villanow Georgia

The crew departed Chattanooga-Lovell Field on a training flight to Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field NAS, Florida. About 20 minutes into the flight, while cruising at low altitude, the aircraft contacted a tree and crashed a mile further on the slope of Mt Johns, near Villanow, Georgia. All four occupants were killed.

May 8, 2002 3 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Pensacola Florida

Two Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner operated by the US Navy registered 165522 and 165525 departed Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field for a training mission. In unknown circumstances, while cruising over the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 km offshore, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. All seven crew members on board both aircraft were killed. Debris were found about 64 km offshore, distant 10 km from each other.

May 8, 2002 4 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Pensacola Florida

Two Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner operated by the US Navy registered 165522 and 165525 departed Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field for a training mission. In unknown circumstances, while cruising over the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 km offshore, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. All seven crew members on board both aircraft were killed. Debris were found about 64 km offshore, distant 10 km from each other.

March 3, 1991 3 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Glenview Illinois

The crew (one instructor and two pilots under training) was completing a local training at Glenview Airport. On approach to runway 27, the instructor decided to initiate a go-around procedure then started an approach to runway 35. He cancelled his IFR flight plan when control was lost. The airplane crashed onto several houses located near the airport. All three crew members were killed while there were no casualties on ground.

United States Navy - USN

Spratly Islands All World

En route from Singapore to Subic Bay, the crew encountered technical problems with the navigation system. Eventually, the captain decided to ditch the aircraft in the South China Sea off the Spratly Island. The crew found refuge in a dinghy and was rescued few hours later by the crew of a Vietnamese ship. The aircraft sank and was lost.

April 20, 1985 5 Fatalities

United States Air Force - USAF

Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania

After landing at Wilkes-Barre Airport, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and went down a 125 feet embankment before coming to rest in flames. All five occupants were killed.

April 4, 1977 5 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

San Diego California

Crashed in unknown circumstances 30 miles east of San Diego while completing a reconnaissance mission. All five crew members were killed.

December 21, 1975 2 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Ukiah California

The crew departed Alameda NAS for a training mission when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located 11 miles south of Ukiah. Both pilots were killed.

May 14, 1975 3 Fatalities

United States Air Force - USAF

Richmond Virginia

The crew departed Andrews AFB on a test flight. While cruising over Virginia and while completing various manoeuvres, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames in an open field located in the region of Richmond. All three crew members were killed.

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Safety Profile

Reliability

Reliable

This rating is based on historical incident data and may not reflect current operational safety.