Learjet 25 accident near San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 22, 2016
On September 22, 2016 at about 10:20 pm local time, a 1983 Learjet 25, registered YV1738, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near San Juan, Puerto Rico (Fernando Dominicci Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper decision to land the airplane on a wet runway, in heavy rain, with tires worn beyond safe limits, which resulted in a hydroplaning condition and subsequent loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2016 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- San Juan, Puerto Rico · Fernando Dominicci Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Learjet 25 D, built 1983 · all 25s on the register
- Registration
- YV1738 · no longer on the register · serial 363
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot reported that rain was intensifying as the airplane approached the runway and that the runway appeared to be wet. After landing smoothly and while decelerating through 80-90 knots, the airplane hydroplaned and departed the left side of the runway. An 8-knot crosswind from the left prevailed. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in the grass about 180° from the runway heading, which resulted in structural damage to the left main gear well. Postaccident examination of the main landing gear tires revealed that three tires had no measurable tread, and the fourth tire had only 1.17 mm of tread. The tire manufacturer stated that tires should be removed if tread wear reached the base of any groove. White skid marks were found on the runway, indicative of a hydroplaning condition. Witnesses reported heavy rain and standing water on the runway at the time of the accident.
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
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Tire casing › Not serviced/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Rain › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Wet surface › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, foreign licence
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,200 hours in all; 1,400 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 1,700 as pilot in command; 100 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 30, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, foreign licence
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,800 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 6,600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,330 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, September 6, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 15,000 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: General Electric CJ-610-8A (turbojet); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: General Electric CJ-610-8A (turbojet); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MDPC Punta Cana at 9:50 pm
- Destination: TJIG San Juan PR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 09, 5,539 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 10:20 pm from TJIG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on November 29, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Record of Conversation and Pilot's Written Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Record of Visit | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Record of Telephone Calls (2) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Goodyear Aviation Tire Data | PDF, 22 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Goodyear Maintenance Manual Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | NTSB Memorandum for Record - Bombardier | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Tjig Weather Data | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Aircraft Trajectory Diagram Provided by FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Runway Skid Marks Diagram from FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Photo Array | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Cockpit Voice Recorder - Specialist’s Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 14 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.