Navy contractor jet caught fire before crashing

The fatal crash took place on May 10, when a twin-engine Gates Learjet 36A, operated by a Navy contractor, was attempting an emergency landing at a Navy airfield near San Clemente Island.

Federal investigators say a Navy contractor’s aircraft caught fire before it crashed off the California coast earlier this month. https://t.co/hPaY5ked9q

— Military Times (@MilitaryTimes) May 29, 2023

According to the preliminary investigative report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), evidence suggests that the Navy contractor jet was on fire before the crash. The report indicates that the flames were present prior to the crash.

Investigators also reported that the plane’s crew reported smelling an odor in the cabin. The crew of a plane flying behind the first aircraft observed white or grey smoke coming from the left side of the cabin, along with a liquid trail. The crew immediately alerted the troubled aircraft to declare an emergency.

Despite efforts to guide the plane to an auxiliary Navy airfield on San Clemente Island, contact with both aircraft was lost as they descended.

The wreckage of the Learjet was subsequently discovered approximately a mile offshore, submerged in around 300 feet of water. Some of the recovered debris exhibited signs of fire damage prior to the crash, according to the report.

The report does not provide specific details on the cause of the fire or the subsequent crash. However, it confirms that investigators are diligently working to establish the factors that contributed to the fire and the sequence of events leading up to the tragic crash.

The NTSB, in collaboration with the Navy and other relevant agencies, is conducting a thorough examination of available data, including flight recorders, maintenance records, and witness testimonies, to determine the cause of the fire and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The loss of lives in this tragic crash has deeply saddened the Navy and the wider community. The identities of the three individuals who perished in the crash have not been released to the public at this time. The Navy extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event and pledges its full support throughout the investigative process.