Two Pilots Listed Lost In Crash

A Lear 35 is reported down, just short of the runway, during an approach in light rain and snow to Truckee Tahoe (NV) Airport. The twinjet Lear went down at approximately 1400 local time after flying in from Idaho falls, Idaho. The aircraft appears to be a Lear 35A operated by Skyward Aviation (shown below) of Washington, PA, and part of a multi-jet charter operation that includes a Hawker 700A, a Beechjet 400A and Beechcraft King Airs.

The TFE731 powered Lear only had two persons on board (the minimum crew compliment) at the time of the accident and carry as many as ten people (including the two pilots). Both pilot/occupants were listed as having perished on impact. Two passengers were scheduled to board the aircraft at KTRK, which sits some 5900' MSL.

High winds (20 knots, and gusts to 40), blowing snow, and rain were reported at the time of the accident. The aircraft went down about a mile from the runway threshold, in a recreational area. Witness reports published in the Sierra Sun noted that "The right wing went straight up with the left wing straight down, then the left wing went straight up... Then it hit the ground with the biggest ball of flame you've ever seen. The ball of flame was bigger than any tree around here," according to Truckee resident Mark Maisel.

Another resident, Brad Rabensteine, who claimed to be one of the first on site at the crash, stated that it, "It made a hard left bank turn. I don't know if the wind took it or what, but it went straight into the ground. The ball of flame that went up was just unbelievable. We ran out there, and there was nothing left."

Officials at the scene reported that the accident offered little possibility of survival due to impact damage and post-crash fire. Visuals of the impact site reveal a heavily broken-up airframe. Investigating officials are both enroute and/or on scene.

ANN will post more information as it becomes available.

FMI: www.truckeetahoeairport.com, www.skywardaviation.com