Learjet 36A accident near Astoria, Oregon, December 3, 2002
On December 3, 2002 at about 2:12 pm local time, a Learjet 36A, registered N546PA, was destroyed in an accident near Astoria, Oregon (Astoria Regional airport). It was an other work-use 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
Collision with an elk during the takeoff roll. Factors include dark night VFR conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 3, 2002 · about 2:12 pm local time
- Place
- Astoria, Oregon · Astoria Regional · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Learjet 36A
- Registration
- N546PA · registry record · serial 36A-045
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot (PIC) reported that during acceleration for takeoff (approximately V1 [takeoff decision speed]) the airplane collided with an elk. The PIC reported that after the collision, he applied wheel brakes and deployed the airplane's drag chute, however, the airplane continued off the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest in a marshy bog approximately 50 feet beyond the departure threshold. Currently, approximately 15,000 feet of the airport's perimeter is bordered with animal control fence. The airport recently received a FAA Aviation Improvement Program (AIP) Grant that will provide funding for an additional 9,000-feet of fence. Airport officials stated that the fencing project should be completed by summer of 2003. At the completion of the project, game control fencing will encompass the entire airport perimeter. The U.S. Government Airport/Facilities Directory (A/FD) contains the following remarks for the Astoria Regional Airport: "Herds of elk on and in the vicinity of airport..."
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
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,350 hours in all; 2,350 in this make and model; 250 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 1,831 as pilot in command; 80 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 28, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,170 hours in all; 920 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 210 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 10, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,335.3 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 26, 2002; 8.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 18,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Garrett TFE-731 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Garrett TFE-731 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Phoenix Air
The flight
- Departed from: KAST Astoria WA at 2:12 pm
- Destination: KAST Astoria WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 08, 5,796 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 080° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from KAST
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 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.