Gates Learjet CORP. 35A accident near Grosse Ile, Michigan, June 22, 2015
On June 22, 2015 at about 8:45 pm local time, a 1991 Gates Learjet CORP. 35A, registered N640BA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Grosse Ile, Michigan (Grosse Ile Muni airport). It was an executive or corporate flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane's collision with a deer on the unfenced runway during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident is the airport's failure to establish a continuous fence between the runway and the nature conservancy.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2015 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Grosse Ile, Michigan · Grosse Ile Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gates Learjet CORP. 35A, built 1991
- Registration
- N640BA · no longer on the register · serial 664
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Executive or corporate flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, while accelerating through 130 knots, a "faint bump" was felt. The flight crew continued the takeoff and experienced difficulty controlling the airplane, but were able to stabilize the airplane in flight. The flight crew reported that there were no annunciations or warnings on the flight deck, but they were able to identify damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The flight crew diverted to an alternate airport and landed without incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Following the accident, a deer was found on the runway at the departure airport. The departure airport perimeter is partially fenced and co-exists on an island with a nature conservancy. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation prior to hitting the deer.
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
- Wildlife encounter (non-bird) during takeoff defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
- factor Organizational issues › Management › Resources › Adequacy of facilities › Airport
- factor Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Security › Effect on equipment
- Organizational issues › Management › (general) › (general) › Other government
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,000 hours in all; 3,000 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 15,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 20, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,000 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 18,000 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Honeywell/Garrett TFE-731-2-2B (turbofan); 6,001 hours total
- Engine 2: Honeywell/Garrett TFE-731-2-2B (turbofan); 6,001 hours total
- Operator: Beta Aire LTD
The flight
- Departed from: ONZ Grosse Ile MI at 8:45 pm
- Destination: MDW Chicago IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 22, 4,846 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 8:34 pm from KONZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 4, 2015. 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 | Photo 1 – Right Wing (Courtesy of FAA) | 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.