After a deadly Arizona crash involving a Learjet, the NTSB blasted the FAA for failing to mandate urgent landing gear inspections—spotlighting crucial questions about regulatory priorities, aviation safety, and what jet owners need to do next.
When the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sounded the alarm about Learjet landing gear failures after February’s fatal Arizona crash, it triggered a ripple effect across the aviation community. Their warning went beyond a single tragedy, exposing urgent questions about regulatory action, manufacturer recommendations, and the evolving risks facing private jet owners.
The heart of the conflict centers on how quickly—and decisively—the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to clear technical warnings and previous incidents. With only 12% of nearly 1,900 at-risk Learjets inspected months after the crash, both safety advocates and aircraft operators are left searching for clarity, leadership, and answers from a process that should protect lives, not leave them in limbo.
How a Tragedy Unfolded: Anatomy of the Arizona Learjet Crash
On a clear February day in Scottsdale, AZ, a venerable Learjet—one of the icons of private aviation—veered off the runway during landing and crashed into a parked Gulfstream.
Crash investigators quickly discovered that the left main landing gear had detached upon touchdown, a catastrophic failure traced to a retaining bolt that was not properly secured by a pin. This specific mechanical flaw wasn’t unique: the NTSB found at least three prior incidents of Learjet gear separation stemming from the same problem.
The human toll was devastating. Captain Joie Vitosky, 78, lost his life. The tragedy also left both the first officer and a passenger injured, along with an occupant of the other jet. What set this incident apart wasn’t just the technical cause, but the pattern of missed opportunities for prevention—both by maintainers and regulators.
The Regulatory Crossroads: Bombardier’s Guidance vs. FAA’s Inaction
After the crash, Bombardier—the manufacturer of Learjets—swiftly issued Service Bulletins in March 2025, urging owners to immediately inspect the landing gear components and check the critical retaining bolt and trunnion pin. The entire process was estimated to require just two hours per aircraft.
Despite this, the FAA chose not to make these inspections mandatory. The agency’s rationale for this decision remains opaque; it notably declined to respond to inquiries even as the NTSB called their hesitance “difficult to justify in view of the imminent risk of loss of life.”
The NTSB’s report called for urgent corrective action, emphasizing both the mechanical ease of performing the inspection and the unprecedented history behind Bombardier’s recommendation—the first time the airframer had explicitly asked the FAA to require such checks. According to the official NTSB statement, they urged a new mandate to help close a “conspicuous safety gap.”
Why Aren’t More Learjets Inspected?
As of late October 2025, only about 225 of the roughly 1,883 potentially affected Learjets had received the recommended inspections. The statistic is striking and has been widely discussed in both pilot circles and aircraft ownership forums like JetCareers, where owners and mechanics debate practical obstacles:
- Lack of official mandate: With Bombardier’s bulletin remaining voluntary, many operators hadn’t prioritized the checks.
- Complexity misconceptions: Some owners believed the process would be costly or require extensive downtime, when, in fact, the NTSB confirmed a trained mechanic could complete it within two hours.
- Awareness gaps: Private jet ownership communities rely on clear communications from both manufacturers and regulators, and a delayed or ambiguous FAA message can slow the response.
Learjet: Celebrity Status, Aging Fleet—and Unique Risks
Learjets have long been synonymous with prestige travel, counting stars from Frank Sinatra in the jet-set era to modern icons like Beyonce among their frequent flyers. However, the last new Learjet rolled off the assembly line in 2022, with Bombardier discontinuing production to focus on larger, more profitable jets.
This shift means the worldwide Learjet fleet is aging, potentially elevating the risk of undetected maintenance issues—especially when structural components like the landing gear aren’t proactively inspected. As veteran pilots often point out on focused aviation forums, older airframes present unique technical challenges, even when manufacturers like Bombardier provide excellent support.
The Precedent: Past Incidents and Their Lessons
The Scottsdale crash is part of a worrying trend. The NTSB documented at least three previous instances where Learjet landing gear failed due to similar retaining bolt issues—none of which resulted in a regulatory overhaul. What’s changed is the collective awareness: the Arizona incident came with a clear mechanical diagnosis, immediate manufacturer guidance, and a passionate user community pressing for accountability.
High-profile incidents like this have triggered wider industry reviews in the past. After the 2013 Asiana Flight 214 accident, for example, the FAA and manufacturers collaborated on mandatory landing gear inspections for multiple aircraft models, drastically reducing similar failures over the following years.
Community Response: Owners, Operators, and Pilots Take Action
Across online aviation communities and maintenance shops, the response to the NTSB’s findings has been rapid and vocal. Some aircraft owners have proactively scheduled landing gear checks, not waiting for FAA mandates. User-driven solutions—like detailed inspection videos and shared checklists—are now widely available on forums such as Pilots of America and Learjet-specific groups.
- Pilots are spreading the word on best practices for pre-flight checks, even though the NTSB makes clear that only a mechanic-led inspection can reliably detect the bolt issue.
- Maintenance facilities report a marked uptick in Learjet landing gear service appointments since the incident, underscoring the impact of peer-led outreach.
The Road Ahead: Will the FAA Reconsider?
With the NTSB now doubling down on its demands and Bombardier standing behind its inspection advisories, pressure is mounting on the FAA to change course.
Multiple industry watchdogs, including Aviation Week, have chronicled the ongoing debate, noting that regulatory policy shifts often follow a critical mass of operator feedback, manufacturer recommendations, and sustained public scrutiny [Aviation Week coverage].
The FAA’s final response may shape not only the future safety of nearly 2,000 Learjets, but also set a precedent for how the agency responds to urgent manufacturer guidance in all sectors of aviation.
What Owners & Pilots Should Do Now
For Learjet operators, the message is clear: Don’t wait for another tragedy or a regulatory order. Schedule the recommended landing gear inspection as soon as possible—even if your jet has passed recent pre-flight and major maintenance checks. Bombardier’s Service Bulletin and the NTSB’s investigation make it clear that only a specific, mechanic-conducted check can ensure the retaining bolt and trunnion pin are secure.
- Review the full Service Bulletin (available from Bombardier’s technical publications).
- Coordinate with experienced Learjet service centers to schedule and properly document the inspection.
- Follow peer community recommendations for record-keeping and sharing of best practices.
Conclusion: Why This Saga Matters Beyond Learjet Owners
This story’s impact reaches far beyond the world of celebrity jets and business aviation. It is a case study in regulatory agility, community self-advocacy, and the power of clear, timely technical guidance.
For every operator, pilot, or aviation enthusiast, the takeaway is a reminder: Proactive safety culture and sustained, transparent advocacy can bridge the critical gaps left by slow-moving bureaucracies. As the call for action grows louder, so does the hope that all at-risk jets—and their passengers—will soon be flying on surer footing.
