NTSB: Pilot Error, Training Failures Led to Fatal Business Jet Crash

Fatal Approach at Virginia Airport

An Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 Westwind Astra crashed March 10, 2024, during an instrument approach to Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia, killing all five aboard. The victims included two pilots and three passengers — a company CEO and members of his family. The aircraft struck rising terrain about 300 feet short of Runway 25.

Captain Ignored Safety Warnings

The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the probable cause to the captain's failure to monitor altitude during an unstabilized ILS approach. The crew operated the aircraft in vertical speed mode, causing continuous descent below the glideslope. A contributing factor was an incorrect altimeter setting that masked the aircraft's actual altitude. Cockpit recordings show the first officer repeatedly warned the captain the aircraft was below glideslope and suggested a go-around, but the captain failed to act until seconds before impact.

Training Deficiencies Exposed

The investigation revealed systemic failures in the operator's hiring and training practices. The captain reportedly required up to 11 attempts to pass simulator checks, despite warnings from other pilots and instructors about performance deficiencies. The NTSB findings highlight breakdowns in crew resource management and organizational oversight, suggesting the accident resulted from cumulative errors across multiple safety barriers.