Gates Learjet 25B accident near Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, June 12, 1992
On June 12, 1992 at about 5:10 pm local time, a Gates Learjet 25B, registered N38DJ, was destroyed in an accident near Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin (Sheboygan County Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE COPILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND THE CAPTAIN'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION RESULTING IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AT LOW ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 1992 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin · Sheboygan County Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gates Learjet 25B · all 25Bs on the register
- Registration
- N38DJ · no longer on the register · serial 191
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CREW DISCUSSED TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS AS THEY WALKED OUT TO BOARD. THE CAPTAIN OCCUPIED THE RIGHT SEAT TO ALLOW THE COPILOT TO FLY THE SHORT REPOSITIONING FLIGHT FROM THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY AND REMAINED IN GROUND EFFECT. ROLL ATTITUDE VACILLATED SLIGHTLY BEFORE ONSET OF A RAPID RIGHT ROLL TO INVERTED AT GROUND IMPACT. THE ENGINES CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER IMPACT; BOTH WERE SELECTED TO HIGH POWER. NO MATERIAL OR MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY WAS FOUND WHICH DIMINSHED POWER OR AIRCRAFT CONTROL.
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, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 17,012 hours in all; 5,738 in this make and model; 79 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days; 15,183 as pilot in command; 1,142 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,798 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, June 5, 1992; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 15,500 lb
- Seats: 9
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ge CJ 610-6 (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Operator: Jet Charter Group, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: SBM at 5:10 pm
- Destination: MTW Manitowoc WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 5,400 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from MTW, 26 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N38DJ the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.