Learjet INC 60 accident near Salt Lake City, Utah, June 26, 2018
On June 26, 2018 at about 2:50 pm local time, a 1994 Learjet INC 60, registered N57, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Salt Lake City, Utah (Salt Lake City Intl airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight crew’s failure to fully disengage the parking brake before taxi, which resulted in a brake fire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2018 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- Salt Lake City, Utah · Salt Lake City Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Learjet INC 60 NO SERIES, built 1994
- Registration
- N57 · registry record · serial 039
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots reported that, while taxiing to the runway for departure, the nose wheel steering seemed unusually sensitive and the airplane pulled slightly to the right. As they neared the runway threshold, they smelled what they thought to be overheated brakes. The crew confirmed the position of the parking brake handle, which had not been fully stowed, and once the handle was completely stowed (parking brake OFF position), the airplane moved more freely. The crew then cancelled their takeoff clearance and taxied the airplane to the runup area to allow the brakes to cool. Shortly thereafter, the control tower notified the flight crew that the airplane was on fire. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage and right wing due to fire that originated at the right main landing gear. A detailed examination of the airplane’s brake system revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the cockpit voice recorder information confirmed that the crew did not completely release the parking brake before taxi.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Copilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: airship
- Flight time: 7,824 hours in all; 2,524 in this make and model; 117 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 6,210 as pilot in command; 1,495 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 9, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,199 hours in all; 1,990 in this make and model; 134 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 4,208 as pilot in command; 1,489 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 16, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P&W Canada PW305A (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W Canada PW305A (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Federal Aviation Administration
The flight
- Departed from: SLC Salt Lake City UT at 2:30 pm
- Destination: Idaho Falls ID
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from KSLC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 3 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ANC18LA049.