File photo: Niklas Jonasson / Unsplash
The Learjet crash that killed nine people in Palm Beach County is drawing new attention to the safety differences between charter flights and scheduled airlines, as federal investigators continue recovering wreckage.
In its November 5 investigation update, the National Transportation Safety Board said excavation was continuing near Greenacres, Florida, and that crews had found part of an engine. Debris had also been recovered away from the impact site and from nearby roofs. The Learjet 60, operated by Aurora Aviation doing business as Upper Jet, was flying from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when radar and radio contact were lost on November 1.
Charter airplanes and airline safety
The NTSB’s 2024 aviation statistics show 21 accidents involving on-demand charter airplanes, including two fatal accidents that killed three people. The fatal-accident rate was about 0.06 per 100,000 flight hours. U.S. Part 121 air carriers recorded no fatal accidents that year.
The charter-airplane category includes jets and other fixed-wing airplanes. Personal general-aviation flying is a separate category.
The NTSB’s review of Part 135 operations found that accident rates have historically exceeded those for Part 121 airlines. Its review of 2010-2022 accidents called for stronger operational control, flight monitoring and risk-management practices, while noting that charter operators perform a wide range of missions with different risks.
What passengers can check
For families or businesses considering a charter, the FAA advises passengers to ask to see the operator’s Air Carrier or Operating Certificate and verify that the aircraft is authorized for charter use. The agency recommends choosing an operator willing to provide that authorization.
The Florida investigation remains ongoing, with the NTSB still working to determine the cause. The November 5 recovery update follows investigators’ earlier discovery of tail debris miles from the impact site.
JBizNews Desk | Florida & Aviation
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