Phoenix Air Learjet 35A - Fresno, CA - 12-14-1994 - Plane Crash Sites on Waymarking.com

A military training excercise that went wrong was the crash that occured in Fresno on December 14, 1994. On that day the California Air National Guard contracted with Phoenix Air to provide two Learjet 35A aircraft to act as targets in a training mission. All was well during the morning maneuvers until the mission was on its way to a landing at Fresno Air Terminal, (FAT). At approximately 11:41AM, one of the jets piloted by Capt. Brad Sexton and Capt. Richard Anderson encountered problems, was losing power, and may have been on fire. Less than 5 minutes later the plane hit the ground.

The aircraft was a Learjet 35A (Serial #239)was constructed in 1979 and purchased by Phoenix Air in 1992. The plane and pilots were based in Klamath Falls, Oregon. It was generally in good condition and the pilots were well trained. Prior to its last mission the plane's avionics were modified to allow the plane to act as an enemy aircraft with the call sign Dart 21.

Ground Zero was the Olivewood Apartment Complex located at Olive and Recreation Avenues just over 2 miles southwest of the FAT Runway. The debris field covered two city blocks with the bulk of the crash occuring across two buildings along Olive Avenue along with several cars which were destroyed. Sadly the pilot and co pilot were killed on impact. No one on the ground was killed but 21 were injured.

The NTSB found that the crash was due to fire related damage to the plane resulting primarily from improperly installed wiring. The pilots were cleared of any blame and many in the community called them heroes for their ability to avoid a nearby elementary school.

In the aftermath the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense and the airline were directed to improve its maintenance and oversite programs. The Apartment Complex was rebuilt and renamed the Villa Margaritas. The pilots were buried in Oregon.

_{Source - Official NTSB AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
CRASH DURING EMERGENCY LANDING
PHOENIX AIR, LEARJET 35A, N521 PA
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 14,1994Adopted: August 1, 1995}