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12 fatalities

Crash During ILS Approach in Instrument Conditions (XA-BBA)

Washington-Dulles, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On June 18, 1994, a Learjet 25 (registration XA-BBA) operated by Transportes Aéreos Ejecutivos - TAESA was involved in an aviation accident near Washington-Dulles, United States of America during landing or approach. 12 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Poor decision making, poor airmanship, and relative inexperience of the captain in initiating and continuing an unstabilized instrument approach that led to a descent below the authorized altitude without visual contact with the runway environment. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane crashed 0.8 nautical miles south of the runway threshold during an ILS approach in instrument meteorological conditions. The captain was not authorized for the approach and lacked experience. The approach was unstabilized, and the crew did not have a GPWS.

Accident Details

The accident occurred during an ILS approach to runway 01R in instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane impacted terrain 0.8 nautical miles south of the runway threshold. The captain was not authorized to attempt the approach and was relatively inexperienced for the prevailing weather conditions. The captain failed to adhere to acceptable standards of airmanship during two unstabilized approaches.

Missed Approach Options

After the unsuccessful ILS approach to runway 01R, the captain should have held for improvements in the weather, requested the ILS approach to runway 19L, or proceeded to the alternate airport.

GPWS

An operating Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) aboard the airplane would have provided continuous warning to the crew for the last 64 seconds of flight and might have prevented the accident.

Passengers

All 10 passengers were Mexican citizens traveling to Washington, D.C., to assist with a game of the World Football Championship.

Probable cause

Poor decision making, poor airmanship, and relative inexperience of the captain in initiating and continuing an unstabilized instrument approach that led to a descent below the authorized altitude without visual contact with the runway environment. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the lack of a GPWS on the airplane.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jun 1994 Learjet 25 accident near Washington-Dulles, United States of America?

An airplane crashed 0.8 nautical miles south of the runway threshold during an ILS approach in instrument meteorological conditions. The captain was not authorized for the approach and lacked experience. The approach was unstabilized, and the crew did not have a GPWS.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Jun 1994 Learjet 25 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 12 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jun 1994 involved a Learjet 25, registration XA-BBA, operated by Transportes Aéreos Ejecutivos - TAESA, at Washington-Dulles, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Poor decision making, poor airmanship, and relative inexperience of the captain in initiating and continuing an unstabilized instrument approach that led to a descent below the authorized altitude without visual contact with the runway environment. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the lack of a GPWS on…

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