On February 26, 1973, a private Learjet 24 crashed shortly after take-off from DeKalb–Peachtree Airport in Chamblee, Georgia, United States.

All five passengers and two crew members aboard the aircraft were killed; a person in the apartment building suffered severe burns.

A subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed the aircraft had impacted birds during take-off.

Due to loss of power in the left engine, the flight crew were unable to control their aircraft before it struck the roof of the apartment building.

Powered by two General Electric CJ610-4 turbojet engines,[2]: 10  the aircraft was registered to Machinery Buyers Corporation, an Atlanta firm.

Witnesses told the NTSB the take-off path of the aircraft appeared to be normal, but it was trailing smoke when it crossed the airport perimeter.

[2]: 1 Upon reaching the accident site, investigators from the NTSB found both engines, the wings and empennage had separated from the fuselage, which had largely been consumed by fire.

"In February 1971, the FAA was advised by the County that the dump would be closed by August 1972," as stated in the NTSB accident report.

"[2]: 7  The NTSB was reportedly "concerned because responsible authorities had not taken due cognizance of the bird hazards to aircraft at the DeKalb–Peachtree Airport.

Public and private studies have shown that the elimination of food and water sources in the vicinity of airports is the most effective means of combating the bird hazard.

The risk of bird strikes was, the Board found, magnified by the landfill site located adjacent to the airport.

They recommended the FAA "develop and implement a procedure for more stringent and continued surveillance" of airports which develop properties adjacent to the flight paths of aircraft, and "impose timely sanctions against operators of facilities which receive Federal aid and do not fully comply with the requirements imposed upon them.

"[2]: 7  They also advised the FAA to circulate material around airports warning authorities of the dangers posed by landfill sites in the vicinity of runways.