What happened
On February 10, 2025, at approximately 1438 mountain standard time, a Gates Learjet 35A, registration N81VN, was involved in an accident near Scottsdale, Arizona. The aircraft was operating as a Part 91 corporate flight, transporting passengers from Florida to Arizona for a local event, with a refueling stop in Austin, Texas.
During the final approach to runway 21 at Scottsdale Airport (SDL), the aircraft was observed on video with its left landing gear trailing aft from its normal position. Upon touchdown at 1438:16, the aircraft immediately entered a left-wing-low attitude and veered off the runway surface. The aircraft traveled over the runway safety area, crossed Taxiway Bravo, and struck a parked Gulfstream G200 in the ramp area. The nose of the Learjet became embedded between the fuselage and the right wing of the parked aircraft. The engines of the N81VN remained running following the impact.
The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury to the captain, 2 serious injuries to the first officer and one passenger, 1 minor injury to another passenger, and 1 serious injury to an occupant of the parked aircraft.