Van Nuys

The aircraft, a Gates Learjet 24B, modified by a Howard/Raisebach Mark II conversion, was cleared for takeoff on runway 28L. Tower personnel estimated that the aircraft rotated for takeoff at 3,200 feet down the runway and was at approximately 200 feet agl when the pilot was instructed to contact departure control. Witnesses observed the aircraft climbing in a wings level attitude when it entered the broken cloud layer at about 600 feet agl. Moments later, the aircraft was observed descending out of the clouds at a steep angle and in a left wing low/nose down attitude. The aircraft impacted between runway 28L and 28R, approximately 10,000 feet from the approach ends. Witnesses reported that the engines sounded like they were operating at a high power setting. An exam of the engines revealed evidence that both were at or above 92% power at impact. No preimpact part failure/malfunction was found. Records revealed two autopilot discrepancies on 10/4/84; one induced the roll mode was sensitive; the other induced the autopilot intermittently rolled the aircraft into a standard rate left bank when engaged. Reportedly, the autopilot would not have been used for takeoff. All three occupants were killed.

After takeoff, the pilot was cleared to proceed on an IFR flight plan. After being cleared to 15,000 ft msl, he reported having trouble maintaining his airspeed and subsequently declared an emergency. Shortly after that, radar contact was lost. The aircraft impacted at night near the top of a mountain ridge at about 4,700 ft msl. The wreckage was demolished and scattered over a large area, but there was no evidence of an inflight breakup. Some parts of the wreckage (including the right engine) were not found on the snow covered terrain. The weather forecast called for: thunderstorms in lines, mountains obscured, moderate and occasionally severe turbulence below 20,000 ft, occasional moderate icing in clouds and in precipitation from the freezing level (3,000 ft) to 20,000 ft. The aircraft was not certified for flight in known icing conditions.

While in normal cruise, the pilot reported severe icing conditions when both engines lost power. He attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in an isolated area located near Newhall. Both occupants were killed.

The crew departed Van Nuys for a local test flight. En route, a fire erupted in the left wheel well and spread to the left wing that detached in flight. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed.

During acceleration, the flight engineer stated, "Look at that warning light on No. 3." There was no verbal response from any other crewmember. The aircraft was accelerated normally to V1 and V2, was rotated, and was lifted off without difficulty. Shortly after the captain called for gear and flaps up, a loud noise was heard and the flight engineer announced that they had lost the No. 3 engine. The No.. 1 blade of the No. 3 propeller had and the loss of the blade caused an imbalance that caused separation, almost instantly, of the No. 3 engine from the aircraft. The propeller blade penetrated the lower fuselage of the aircraft and penetrated the lower inboard side of the No. 2 engine. As the blade passed through the fuselage, it severed pneumatic, hydraulic, and emergency airbrake lines as well as the electrical wiring for propeller controls and some engine instruments. The first officer informed the captain that the engine had separated. The aircraft continued to climb and began a right turn. An emergency was declared and the crew requested and received clearance for a landing on runway 07. Debris was discovered on the intersection of runways 07/25 and 15/23, but the pilot decided to continue the approach. The aircraft touched down near the end of runway 07. The captain called for flap retraction and for the props to be put in reverse pitch. The engine sounds increased, and the first officer advised the captain that the propellers were not going into reverse and to use the brakes. As the engine sound decreased, the captain replied that nothing was happening. Maximum power was applied and the aircraft again took off, and cleared the blast fence at the end of the runway by approximately 30 feet (9 m). At 10:39:35, the crew advised the Hollywood-Burbank Tower that they had no brakes and that they were proceeding to the Van Nuys Airport (VNY). The crew the saw that the No. 2 oil pressure was low and that there was no BMEP indication. Attempts to feather the No. 2 propeller were not successful, and the No. 2 engine stopped with the propeller blades at a positive, low pitch angle. Van Nuys cleared the flight for landing on runway 16, but the crew replied that they wouldn't make it, and requested runway 34. At 10:43:22, the Van Nuys local controller cleared the flight to land on runway 34L. While approaching the airport, the airplane was losing altitude and airspeed. The crew realized that they would not make it to the runway. The throttles were retarded and a forced landing was attempted on the Woodley Municipal Golf Course, about 1 mile south of the Van Nuys Airport. The aircraft touched down on it's main landing gear and bounced three times. The nose of the aircraft struck a 24-inch-high (61 cm) concrete foundation of a partially constructed building. The aircraft came to rest against a house trailer parked nearby and caught fire about 20 minutes after it came to rest. Three crew members were killed while three other occupants were injured.

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a ferry flight from Honolulu to Van Nuys, California. While cruising along the coast of the Maui Island, both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, he ditched the aircraft 22 miles offshore. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Shortly after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing, both engines stopped simultaneously. The pilot informed ground and completed a 180 turn to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Four minutes after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Granada Hills, north of Van Nuys. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

During the takeoff roll at Van Nuys Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames onto a hangar. The aircraft was destroyed as well as two other airplanes, a Beechcraft 35 registered N5312E and a Beechcraft 23 registered N2380L. All three occupants were killed. No one on the ground was injured.

While on approach to Helendale Airport, the twin engine aircraft speed was too low. The left wing dropped and the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed. They were completing an electrical chute device drop test from Van Nuys Airport.