Learjet Lear 23 accident near Tlaxcala, Mx, December 8, 2008
On December 8, 2008, a Learjet Lear 23, registered XCLGD, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR final approach) near Tlaxcala (Tlaxcala airport). It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 8, 2008
- Place
- Tlaxcala, Mexico · Tlaxcala · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Learjet Lear 23
- Registration
- XCLGD · no longer on the register · serial 037
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 7, 2008 at approximately 1815 central standard time (CST) a twin-engine turbo fan, Learjet 23, Mexican Registration XC-LGD, was destroyed when it impacted a lake while on final approach to an unlit day visual flight rules airport near Tlaxcala, Mexico. The pilot and copilot received fatal injuries. The aircraft was observed to have a high rate of descent on short final and a witness stated he lost visual contact. When the airplane did not reappear after about 40 seconds, he drove to the landing threshold of the runway to check the status. Other persons at the airport boundary indicated the airplane crash landed into the lake to the north of the airport. The flight was terminating at the time. The aircraft is being recovered to a facility in Tlaxcala, Mexico for further investigation. A technical advisor from Bombardier-Learjet Inc. has been appointed to provide technical assistance to the DGAC in the recover effort and conduct of the investigation. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Mexico. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Mexico. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) Direccion General de Aeronutica Civil (DGAC) Col. san Juan de Arrgon, 3-seccion Del. Venustiano Carrabza Mexico, D.F, Mexico c.p. 15620 Telephone: 55-2598-0138 This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from the DGAC of the Republic of Mexico.
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
- Altitude deviation during approach (IFR final approach)
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (IFR final approach) defining event
Pilot
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 12,499 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: General Electric; 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: MMTA Tlaxcala
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 360° at 12 knots
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.