Key Facts
• On October 16, 2025, a Raytheon Hawker 800XP crashed in Bath Township, Michigan.
• The crash killed three individuals: two pilots and one maintenance technician.
• The aircraft had been grounded for seven months in Battle Creek, Michigan, for repairs.
• Repairs included removing parts of the main wing, requiring a stall test before resuming operations.
• Duncan Aviation recommended hiring an experienced test pilot for the stall test.
• The captain opted to conduct the test flight without a test pilot due to scheduling issues.
• The aircraft reached speeds of approximately 440 km/h during a rapid descent.
• Witnesses recorded the jet spiraling before crashing into a wooded area near Lansing.
• The NTSB is investigating the crash, with a final report expected in about a year.
• The NTSB is also reviewing three other stall test-related incidents, including a fatal crash in Utah in February 2024.
Summary
The NTSB’s preliminary report on the October 2025 crash of a Raytheon Hawker 800XP in Michigan highlights critical safety oversights. Following extensive repairs, the pilots conducted a mandatory stall test without an experienced test pilot, despite recommendations. The jet spiraled and crashed, killing all three onboard. The investigation continues, with findings expected in 2026. This incident underscores the risks of bypassing safety protocols during test flights.
