On January 11, 1982, a Learjet 25 (registration HZ-GP5) operated by Redec Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Narsarsuaq, Greenland in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft descended to an altitude that was too low to avoid striking mountain terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An aircraft crashed into a mountain slope approximately 130 km northeast of Narsarsuaq during its descent, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.
What happened
During an approach sequence, the flight crew received clearance to descend from flight level 310 down to 9,000 feet. While performing this maneuver, the aircraft collided with the side of an ice-covered mountain located roughly 130 km northeast of Narsarsuaq. The wreckage was subsequently located at an elevation of approximately 2,630 meters.
Findings
Investigation into the crash site confirmed that both pilots perished in the accident. The primary factor identified in the descent was that the airplane descended to an altitude insufficient to clear terrain obstacles. The specific reason for this inadequate altitude during the descent remains undetermined.
Probable cause
The aircraft descended to an altitude that was too low to avoid striking mountain terrain.