On 4 June 1964, the prototype crashed soon after takeoff, when the pilot inadvertently deployed the wing spoilers while demonstrating an engine failure on takeoff. Eventually determined to be pilot error, this mishap did not deter the Federal Aviation Agency (later the Federal Aviation Administration) from awarding the Lear Jet 23 its type certificate on 31 July 1964. On October 13, 1964, the first production aircraft was delivered.
On June 4, 1964, the prototype crashed shortly after takeoff due to a pilot error involving the inadvertent activation of wing spoilers during an engine failure demonstration. This incident did not prevent the Federal Aviation Agency (now known as the Federal Aviation Administration) from granting the Lear Jet 23 its type certificate on July 31, 1964. The first production aircraft was delivered on October 13, 1964.