Lear 35 crash CA

[Dan CFI/CFII]

I am curious as all get out about it. There aren't all that many air ambulance Lears based at ABQ. I'm pretty sure that I have at least met the crew at some point.


May they laugh and joke with God forever...

Dan

 

[414Flyer]

I have probably met the crew before too, even if I would not recognize the names. I interviewed with this outfit once too.

 

[414Flyer]

"Capt. Karl Kolb, 56; first officer John Lamphere, 30; nurse Laura Womble, 47; and paramedic Donald Womble, 45, died on impact when their Learjet crashed shortly after takeoff, according to a news release. A paramedic, 33-year-old Marco Villalobos from El Paso, was also killed."

The FOs name really seems familar, although I cant place a face with it.

 

[rumpletumbler]

The FOs name really seems familar, although I cant place a face with it.

Thats really strange. It does to me as well.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
It will be sometime until we know the true cause of the accident, and I hate to speculate. However, I am very familiar with the terrain surrounding Brown Field where the flight deprted from. Brown Field is located just across the border from Tijuana International Airport and is a former US Naval Air Station and now serves as a general aviation reliever airport for San Diego. Many airplanes use Brown field as a port of entry stop on flights from Mexico.
This is the second time that an airplane has crashed into the high terrain to the east of Brown Field (Otay Mountain is less than 10 NM east). The airport itself is located on a mesa and terrain rises rapidly as you fly eastbound. About 10 years ago or so a Sabreliner crashed into Otay Mountain on a CAVU night after departing VFR.
I'm not speculating on the cause of this recent mishap, just giving some background on the area and pointing out how dangerous this airport can be to the unfamiliar. I spent 11 years flying in and around the mountains of California, Arizona and Nevada. While I was in the Navy there, we lost four helicopters to CFIT accidents over that period of time.

Our prayers are with those that were lost

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[starchkr]

What was the n number of the a/c? Was the plane White with Blue stripes?

 

[rchcfi]

N30DK.......Flew ABQ-ELP-MMZO-SDM.

 

[vetteracer]

Evidently no one wants to hear about it...it's not a stock car team or a 121 crash.



OR someone famous, like JFK Jr. If I a ever crashed in the Mts. the best I could hope for is the CAP.

Mark

 

[vikaero]

I have had the privilige of flying with marco, laura and Donald... the medics and nurse on the ill fated flight. I fly medflight lears and know that these were good people and did not deserve to go like this. I dont know the pilots but all the same .. god speed. All I can say is my heartfelt prayers are with each of their families, may they find peace and may god be by their side.... always.

 

[aeronautic1]

Departure Proceedures

Brown Field Departure Proceedure: RWY 8L&R, climbing left turn. RWY 20L&R, climbing right turn. All aircraft climb 280 heading to intercept the MZBR R-160 northwestbound to MZB VORTAC.

It is amazing how TWO pilots can F-UP in such a big way. Departure turn is 280. Mountain is to the east, as is ABQ, their destination. Mission-itis will bite you in the arse every time. The pilots may have been swell individiuals but in this one, they screwed the pooch. Get it?

Same goes for the Hendricks Kingair. The field was below minimums and they still shot one approach. They were coming around for another approach when encountered cumulogranite. Hey, the airport didn't have an ILS, was in known mountainous terrain and they used BAD judgement. Got - To - Get - There - Itis. They destroyed a perfectly good airplane and killed a plane load of pretty nice people. Personally, I would have gone to another airport prior to shooting the approach, but then that's Part 135.

Both of these crashes were avoidable and it is our responsiblity to research the cause and effect of crashes like these and incorporate them into our CRM and situational awareness. Because just as God made little green apples, there will be another accident that could have been prevented just over the horizon. Co-pilots, challenege your captains if it just doesn't seem right. That's what your job is all about. Keeping the captain and his passengers alive!