Learjet 35A N81VN

Fatal Accident (1) – Learjet 35A, N81VN, Scottsdale Airport (SDL/KSDL), Scottsdale, AZ, February 10, 2025

Aviation Safety X Report

On February 10, 2025, at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time, a Learjet 35A registered as N81VN and owned by Chromed in Hollywood Inc., crashed while landing at Scottsdale Municipal Airport, Arizona. The aircraft, a 1989 model, had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport earlier in the day and was approaching Runway 21 at the time of the incident. Onboard were four individuals, including the two pilots and two passengers. The aircraft veered off the runway and collided with a parked Gulfstream 200 business jet situated near the Southwest Jet Center. The crash resulted in the death of the left-seat pilot, identified as 78-year-old Joie Vitosky, and injuries to the remaining three occupants, including one of the passengers, who was Vince Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Andreani. Preliminary reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicate that the left main landing gear failed during the landing sequence. Analysis of surveillance footage and ADS-B data suggests that the failure occurred at the attachment point of the gear strut to the wing. This mechanical failure initiated a chain reaction that resulted in the loss of control of the aircraft. Witnesses and responders on-site reported that one of the Learjet’s engines continued running for a significant period post-impact, though there was no post-crash fire. The Scottsdale Municipal Airport, which features a single 8,249-foot-long runway, was operating under clear weather conditions at the time, with visibility reported at 10 miles and light winds from the west. Flight tracking data indicated that the Learjet approached at a descent rate exceeding 1,400 feet per minute—higher than the recommended stabilized approach profile for this aircraft type. The rapid descent may have contributed to the gear failure upon touchdown. Investigators are examining whether crew fatigue played a role, as the aircraft had completed a long-haul flight from Florida with a fuel stop in Texas before the accident. Security footage captured the aircraft skidding off the left side of the runway before striking the parked Gulfstream 200. The parked aircraft, reportedly owned by a private party, was unoccupied at the time of impact. The collision with the Gulfstream potentially prevented the Learjet from continuing into the adjacent terminal building, mitigating further damage and potential casualties. Emergency responders extracted the injured co-pilot, who was trapped inside the wreckage for an extended period. The accident has raised questions about maintenance records and the structural integrity of the Learjet 35A’s landing gear. The NTSB is expected to review the aircraft’s maintenance logs and service history to determine if any prior reports of gear anomalies existed. Additionally, investigators will examine the operational history of Chromed in Hollywood Inc. to assess compliance with FAA regulations regarding maintenance and flight operations. Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil, who was not aboard the aircraft, released a statement expressing condolences to the deceased pilot’s family and gratitude for the emergency response teams. The band’s initial public statement acknowledged the injuries sustained by Neil’s girlfriend but omitted further passenger details in subsequent communications. This incident highlights the importance of robust aircraft maintenance and the challenges of high-performance jet operations at municipal airports. The Scottsdale Municipal Airport, frequently handling corporate and private jets, was notably busy due to concurrent events in the region, including the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open. The ongoing investigation will focus on several key aspects: the mechanical failure of the landing gear, the descent profile and approach speed, potential pilot fatigue, and adherence to safety procedures by the operating company. The NTSB is expected to release preliminary findings within weeks, followed by a final report detailing causation and recommendations to prevent similar accidents. For now, Scottsdale Municipal Airport remains fully operational, though aviation safety authorities may issue advisories based on investigative findings. The loss of life and damage underscore the necessity for continuous oversight in business jet operations, ensuring adherence to stringent safety protocols to mitigate the risk of future occurrences.

Video Security Camera	Accident Location: Scottsdale Airport (SDL/KSDL), Scottsdale, AZ 33° 37′ 19.65″ N, 111° 54′ 36.29″ W	FAA Registration 🇺🇸 N81VN N199DF	Year of Manufacture 1989
Serial Number 652	ADS-B Exchange	flightradar24	FlightAware
NTSB Database	Social Media Facebook Instagram LinkedIn X	Local News AZ Family ABC 15 FOX 10	National News National World CBS Chicago Tribune New York Post
ASN N81VN ASN N199DF	Aircraft Operator Chromed in Hollywood Inc (Vince Neil Aviation)	Image References Jet Photos 1 Jet Photos 2 Blancolirio Mitchell Roetting

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