For the maiden flight of the Lear Jet, Bob Hagan was in the left seat (pilot's seat) with Hank Beaird in the right as co-pilot. As head of flight test, Bob's stature was quite high with Bill Lear and was asked to interrupt certification flights to give a prospect a demo flight in 001.

The prospect was a Gulfstream I driver. In a G-I, the pilots fanny sits about ten foot off the tarmac, about twice the distance as the Lear. The stall warning system was not designed yet and on landing, the pilot flared a little high...a little slow. Lift was lost on one wing, it dipped and contacted the runway causing some modest damage to the tip tank.

Bill knew it would not take long for word of the incident to reach Bethany, Oklahoma where our arch rival Aero Commander, was developing the Jet Commander.

A crew was put on the repair and the next morning Bill (probably with Hank Beaird) flew the airplane down to Bethany, taxied up to the Commander ramp, got out and said, "Hi boys, just wanted to see how you are doing."

The incident did not cost Hagan his job but it was like you accidently scuff the leather on a new pair of shoes. Now they are too good to throw away but on the other hand, you don't wear them to church. Bob would finish his career at Beech.