What happened
On the morning of the accident, a Gates Learjet 24, registration N454RN, was prepared for an instrument flight from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Atlanta to Miami. The aircraft was operated by Machinery Buyers Corp. and departed runway 20L at approximately 10:10. During the initial climb, witnesses observed blue-gray smoke trailing from the aircraft as it exited the airport perimeter. Air traffic control notified the crew of visible smoke emanating from the left engine, to which the pilot responded that the aircraft had recently encountered birds.
The aircraft reached an altitude of roughly 250 to 300 feet before entering a nose-high attitude and losing altitude. The plane struck the roof of a three-story apartment complex located about two miles south-southwest of the airfield. Following the impact, the wreckage settled in a wooded ravine near a major highway. The accident resulted in seven fatalities among the crew and passengers, while one individual on the ground suffered serious burns. The crash also caused significant damage to an apartment building, three parked cars, and a fourth vehicle.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed that both engines had sustained foreign object damage to the compressor rotor assemblies. Evidence of bird strikes was found on the windshield and center post, and the remains of 15 cowbirds were located near the runway departure end. The ingestion of birds into the engines caused a critical loss of thrust during the takeoff phase. Additionally, investigators noted that while airport authorities were aware of existing bird hazards, management had failed to implement necessary measures to mitigate the risk.