Learjet Crash in Germany After Left Engine Failure (I-MOCO)

Background and Maintenance History On February 7, 2001, a technician found chips in the oil filter during an inspection of the right engine. The required repair was to be completed within 20 flight hours. Because the Swiss maintenance organization that usually handled the work did not have the spare parts available on time, the task was assigned to a maintenance organization in Nuremberg. The aircraft was ferried to Nuremberg on February 7, 2001, and the repairs and replacement of parts on the right engine were certified properly in the presence of the operator's chief technician. ## Flight Details The return flight to Rome was planned for February 8, 2001, at about 1530 local time. A charter flight from Rome was scheduled for the following day. Two pilots and the operator's chief technician were aboard. Flight preparation was conducted by phone from the repair facility, and a weather briefing and NOTAMs were obtained properly. The take-off checklists were read. During preparation, the unbalanced fuel distribution between the right and left tanks was discussed, although the total amount was equal on both sides. Immediately afterward, the second pilot noticed a failure of his gyro instruments. ## Takeoff and Engine Failure The aircraft was taxied via taxiways Juliet and Foxtrot to runway 10. The pilot in command was at the controls, while the second pilot handled radio communications with air traffic control. The pilots received clearance for departure via the departure route Noerdlingen (NDG 1 M) to Rome. Takeoff occurred at 1531. After 5 nautical miles, the aircraft turned south, following the departure route. At 15:33:49, the left engine failed without previous warning. Several witnesses on the ground heard the noise of a down-running engine, but no smoke or fire was seen. ## Emergency Approach and Crash The second pilot reported an emergency with the left engine to the control tower and stated that they intended to return for a landing on runway 10. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the runway was continuously visible. The departure control Nuremberg APP requested a brief frequency change to coordinate the flight; after the second pilot declared the emergency again, they switched back to the tower and continued the approach to runway 10. The flight proceeded without particular occurrences until the final approach. Flaps were set to 8° and later to 20°, and the landing gear was extended. At that time, the aircraft was somewhat north of the extended centerline and slightly above the glide path for an instrument approach. Approximately one kilometer in front of the runway, while flying over main road no. 4 near the small town of Buch, witnesses observed the aircraft making unusual flight maneuvers. The aircraft deviated from the landing direction to the north and made reeling movements. It briefly appeared that the pilot intended to turn right to reach the runway. Immediately afterward, near the ground, the aircraft abruptly stalled to the left, approximately maintaining its height, then assumed a bank angle of more than 90° and crashed nearly upside down at 1540 into a forest north of the runway. ## Aftermath The airport fire service, which had been in a standby position due to the announced safety landing of the Learjet, reached the accident site approximately four minutes later and began extinguishing the fire. All three occupants lost their lives in the impact, and the aircraft was destroyed.