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.
It was clear to investigators the aircraft had encountered a bird strike upon take-off.
One pilot who landed at around the time the Learjet took off told the Gadsden Times, "Just as we came across the runway it was almost black with birds.
They swarmed and parted as we went through them."

Analysis of the cockpit area found there was bird residue and feathers on the windshield and center post.
The remains of 15 cowbirds were found within 150 feet (46 m) of the end of Runway 20L. These birds, the NTSB found, had collided with the aircraft structure.
Examination of the two engines found evidence of foreign objects, which consisted of minute fragments of feathers.
The objects had blocked cooling ports, and had damaged the rotor assembly inside the engine.
It was found the left engine had encountered 14 separate bird strikes and the right engine had encountered five.
When the birds entered the engine, they caused the compressors to stall; these were the two loud bangs the witnesses heard as the aircraft took off.
As the aircraft passed over the perimeter fence, the left engine flamed out, and the trail of smoke was unburned fuel passing through the hot combustion and turbine sections.
Investigators determined it was possible the flight crew had managed to restart the left engine.

To pass certification, the General Electric CJ610 turbojet engine underwent bird strike testing, during which chloroformed  birds are passed through a test engine.
However, the damage to both engines was, according to the NTSB, "considerably heavier" than it had been in the test engine.
Because of the failure of the left engine, and the severe damage to the right engine, the aircraft was unable to remain airborne.
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. It was clear to investigators the aircraft had encountered a bird strike upon take-off. One pilot who landed at around the time the Learjet took off told the Gadsden Times, "Just as we came across the runway it was almost black with birds. They swarmed and parted as we went through them."
Analysis of the cockpit area found there was bird residue and feathers on the windshield and center post. The remains of 15 cowbirds were found within 150 feet (46 m) of the end of Runway 20L. These birds, the NTSB found, had collided with the aircraft structure. Examination of the two engines found evidence of foreign objects, which consisted of minute fragments of feathers. The objects had blocked cooling ports, and had damaged the rotor assembly inside the engine. It was found the left engine had encountered 14 separate bird strikes and the right engine had encountered five. When the birds entered the engine, they caused the compressors to stall; these were the two loud bangs the witnesses heard as the aircraft took off. As the aircraft passed over the perimeter fence, the left engine flamed out, and the trail of smoke was unburned fuel passing through the hot combustion and turbine sections. Investigators determined it was possible the flight crew had managed to restart the left engine.
To pass certification, the General Electric CJ610 turbojet engine underwent bird strike testing, during which chloroformed  birds are passed through a test engine. However, the damage to both engines was, according to the NTSB, "considerably heavier" than it had been in the test engine. Because of the failure of the left engine, and the severe damage to the right engine, the aircraft was unable to remain airborne.
1973 DeKalb–Peachtree Airport Learjet crash