Learjet 60 accident near Aspen, Colorado, January 6, 1996
On January 6, 1996 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Learjet 60, registered XAICA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Aspen, Colorado (Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 improper in-flight decision to continue with the landing when the runway had not been positively identified. Factors were the snow-covered runway and landing area, sun glare, and the inadequate snow removal by airport personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 6, 1996 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Aspen, Colorado · Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Learjet 60 · all 60s on the register
- Registration
- XAICA · no longer on the register · serial 60-027
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The captain said he aligned the airplane with what he thought was the runway centerline. The airplane touched down in a snow field 1,000 feet beyond the runway threshold and 25 feet to the right of runway centerline. The nose landing gear collapsed and, after traveling through several snow berms, the airplane skidded back onto the runway and came to a halt at the 4,000 foot mark. The captain said he was unable to positively identify the runway environment due to the blending of the snow-covered runway and surrounding terrain. The runway had been plowed and swept. The runway lights were covered with plowed snow and were not visible nor operating. Excess snow and dirt were dumped on the right side of the runway. The sun was bright and high in the sky. A NOTAM had been issued, noting that the runway was snow packed and covered with ice. Braking action was reported to be 'fair.'
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 450 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 22,750 lb
- Seats: 9
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W PW305A (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ELP El Paso TX at 5:00 pm
- Destination: ASE
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 15, 7,003 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 18°F (-8°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:25 pm from ASE
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.