Learjet 35 Crash Near Teterboro Airport
Attorneys
A team of four investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began investigating the May 15, 2017 crash of a Learjet 35A which occurred at 3:30 p.m. near Runway 1 at New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport. Both crew members were reported dead with no other crew members or passengers reported on board. (A Learjet 35 can normally hold up to eight people plus two crew members.) The airplane crashed into an industrial area and the resulting explosion and fire damaged or destroyed several buildings and at least 13 cars. Most workers in the public buildings located in that area had recently left for the day so, remarkably, there were no injuries reported on the ground.
Initial parties to the NTSB’s investigation include the FAA, Bombardier (airplane manufacturer) and Honeywell (manufacturer of the dual engines). The airplane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) which was recovered and has been sent to NTSB headquarters for analysis. The plane was not required to have a data recorder and one has not been found.
The National Weather Service warned of strong winds with gusts up to 45 mph (72 kph) just before the plane went down. Area air traffic was described as moderate at the time of the crash by the NTSB spokesman.
The plane was listing to the right with its nose down at the time of impact, indicating it was out of control.
Kreindler attorneys (who are also licensed pilots) are very familiar with Learjet crashes and subsequent litigation. They have handled numerous Learjet cases including the 2012 Learjet crash that took the life of Latin music superstar Jenni Rivera.
In addition, Kreindler attorneys have frequently piloted planes in and out of Teterboro airport and are very familiar with details of the airport. Kreindler partners Justin T. Green and Steven R. Pounian handled the litigation arising from the deadly 2009 Hudson River mid-air collision between an airplane and a helicopter that ultimately focused on the responsibilities and activities of the Teterboro air traffic controller.