In a recent disclosure by the National Transportation Safety Board, it has been suggested that prior issues with the landing gear might have played a role in the tragic private jet crash tied to Mötley Crüe lead singer, Vince Neil. This preliminary report sheds light on the unfortunate event that occurred earlier in October, when the aircraft, after deviating from its path on an Arizona runway, collided with a business jet, resulting in one fatality.
Before this heartbreaking incident, the same plane had experienced a landing complication with the same crew in Oklahoma, back in June 2024. During that occasion, the Learjet encountered a hard landing which led to the bursting of both tires on its left main landing gear. Consequent to that incident, the pilot had ordered a comprehensive inspection focused on the hard landing, leading to the removal and examination of the main landing gear.
Subsequent examinations by another mechanic noted that the left landing gear seemed to absorb an “excessive” amount of grease. However, at the time, there were no overt signs that pointed to a major issue, as indicated in the report. The crew did not broadcast any alerts over the radio regarding potential landing gear troubles.
“This is a significant concern,” explained Erwin Winkler, who serves as the chief flight instructor and maintenance director at Tucson Flight School, in relation to the overly lubricated landing gear.
According to the NTSB, the landing gear in question had a concerning history of disconnecting from the aircraft framework in previous separate events. This repeated issue was attributed to a bolt that was improperly engaged through a pin.
Winkler suggested that the pin, which should allow the grease to pass through, may have been installed incorrectly, leading to the technical difficulties experienced. Sadly, the crash took the life of 78-year-old Joie Vitosky, one of the experienced pilots on the aircraft, as confirmed by the Scottsdale Police Department.