News

Learjet crashes in small LA airport

Chennault International Airport closed after a private jet made a crash landing.

According to KPLC correspondent Lee Peck, the Federal Aviation Administration is on scene to investigate as clean-up crews relocate the plane.

The incident occurred last Tuesday afternoon. A privately owned Learjet approaching the airport made an unexpected crash landing.

“It skidded off the runway and ended up in the dirt backwards,” said Randy Robb, Chennault Executive Director. 

Robb blames the freak occurrence to the cross winds. There were only two people in the plane—the pilot and the co-pilot—both escaped without injury. However, the small plane suffered minor damage to its front landing gear and its fuel line in the left wing.

Robb said: “A small fuel leak. Our fire department got that contained and the cleanup is in progress. In the meantime all runways are closed to air traffic and planes are being diverted to other airports." 

Due to the incident, 13 planes were diverted to alternate routes.
As of press time, the FAA is investigating the crash and the charter company that owns the plane.