Learjet 35A accident near Columbus, Ohio, January 10, 2007
On January 10, 2007 at about 8:30 am local time, a Learjet 35A, registered N40AN, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, Ohio (Rickenbacker International airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an inflight maneuver which resulted in the design stress limits of the airplane being exceeded. A factor was the excessive airspeed encountered during recovery.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 10, 2007 · about 8:30 am local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · Rickenbacker International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Learjet 35A · all 35As on the register
- Registration
- N40AN · no longer on the register · serial 35-271
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged during an in-flight recovery after the captain attempted an intentional aileron roll maneuver during cruise flight and lost control. The cargo flight was being operated at night under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 at the time of the accident. The captain reported the airplane was "functioning normally" prior to the intentional aileron roll maneuver. The captain stated that the "intentional roll maneuver got out of control" while descending through flight level 200. The captain reported that the airplane "over sped" and experienced "excessive G-loads" during the subsequent recovery. The copilot reported that the roll maneuver initiated by the captain resulted in a "nose-down unusual attitude" and a "high speed dive." Inspection of the airplane showed substantial damage to the left wing and elevator assembly.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,400 hours in all; 1,700 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 5,300 as pilot in command; 1,200 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 2,900 as pilot in command; 1,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 20,332 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, October 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 19,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Garrett TFE-731-2C-2B (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Garrett TFE-731-2C-2B (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JAX Jacksonville FL at 6:40 am
- Destination: LCK Columbus OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 8:57 am from LCK
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.