NTSB Criticizes FAA for Failing to Mandate Learjet Landing Gear Inspections

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an urgent plea to the owners of almost 2,000 Learjets to promptly check their landing gear to prevent potential collapses following a tragic crash at Scottsdale Airport involving a private jet owned by musician Vince Neil. The NTSB criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for not mandating these inspections for the iconic aircraft, which have been favored by numerous celebrities over many years. Even though Bombardier ceased Learjet production to focus on more lucrative models, the safety concerns persist, especially after the recent fatal incident. With only a small percentage of the Learjets being inspected so far, the NTSB emphasizes the importance of compliance with Bombardier’s recommendations to prevent similar accidents from occurring. The FAA has yet to respond to these pressing concerns raised by the NTSB. The crash investigation revealed that the tragic event was due to the separation of the left main landing gear, which had a history of issues resulting from a faulty retaining bolt. The NTSB suggests visual checks of the landing gear during maintenance to ensure secure attachment, as failure to do so may lead to dangerous situations.