Gates Learjet Corp. 35A N354EF accident near Colorado Springs, Colorado

Probable cause

The flight crew’s improper decision to continue the unstabilized approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the runway during landing.

NTSB analysis

The flight crew was conducting an instrument approach to the destination airport with the captain as the pilot monitoring and the copilot as the pilot flying. The airplane exited an overcast layer of clouds about 650 to 700 ft above ground level and about 1/2 mile right of the runway centerline. The captain requested the flight controls and returned the airplane to the runway extended centerline about 100 ft above ground level and reduced the throttles to “idle.” During landing, the stick shaker activated, and the captain applied engine power; however, the airplane stalled, and the right wingtip fuel tank impacted the runway, resulting in substantial damage.

There was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The operator’s operations manual specified that a stabilized approach should be established no later than 500 ft above airport elevation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA190 for the full record.