Crash of a Learjet 23 in Atlangatepec: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 2008 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XC-LGD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Puebla – Atlangatepec
MSN:
23-037
YOM:
1965
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Puebla-Hermanos Serdán-Huejotzingo Airport on a positioning flight to Atlangatepec. On approach to runway 01, the crew made a low pass over the runway then initiated a go-around procedure followed by a circuit in an attempt to land on runway 19. On final approach in limited visibility due to the night and low clouds, the aircraft impacted the water surface and crashed in the Atlanga lagoon. The aircraft sank by a depth of about 30 metres some 800 metres short of runway threshold. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low on final approach.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Limited visibility due to the night and low clouds,
- The approach was completed with a tailwind component,
- The approach was started about an hour after sunset,
- The copilote was inexperienced.

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Oakdale

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1998 at 1350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N37BL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Stockton – Oakdale
MSN:
23-069
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5200
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6747
Circumstances:
On March 4, 1998, at 1350 hours Pacific standard time, a Learjet 23, N37BL, was substantially damaged when it landed gear up at the Oakdale, California, airport. The airline transport pilot and check pilot, the sole occupants, were not injured and no property damage occurred. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 on a familiarization and training flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated in his report "the landing gear was never extended and the aircraft was landed with the gear retracted."
Probable cause:
Failure of the flight crew to extend the landing gear before landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Detroit: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1991 at 2115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N959SC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit - Chicago
MSN:
23-045
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
9000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2600.00
Circumstances:
A lineman noted parking brake (p/b) was set before flight. Pilots began takeoff on 5,147 feet runway with 10 knots crosswind. A witness said aircraft rotated for takeoff about 4,500 feet down runway and lifted off about 50 feet later. Reportedly, it remained low and slow (20-60 feet agl) after lift-off, then banked (rocked) left and right in nose high attitude, settled, hit trees and crashed abt 200 feet beyond runway. One person said aircraft went out of control before impact; another said it was 'in or on the edge of stalled flight.' Examination showed rotational damage occurred in both engines during impact. The braking systems had evidence that p/b control valve was partially on; brake torque tube contained heat blueing. On this early model (Learjet 23/sn: 23-45a), p/b had to be released by depressing brake pedals first; pilot handbook did not address this. On later models (sn: 23-050 and up), p/b needed only to be moved 'off.' Investigations showed left seat pilot had training in later models (Learjet 24/25); but only a biennial flight review was noted in the model 23. Company dispatcher said no training would have been performed on accident flight (with passenger aboard). Aircraft was about 430 lbs over max weight limit. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper preflight by the pilot, his failure to abort the takeoff while there was sufficient runway remaining, and his failure to assure that the aircraft attained sufficient airspeed for lift-off and climb. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's failure to assure the aircraft was within its maximum weight limitation, his improper use of the parking brake, and insufficient information in the pilot operating handbook concerning the aircraft parking brake.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Columbia

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1991 at 1856 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N500FM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Youngstown - Columbia
MSN:
23-088
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4964
Captain / Total hours on type:
4039.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13594
Circumstances:
The pilot had computed landing performance information for a landing on a wet runway with anti-skid; sufficient runway surface was available. Touchdown was normal, however during the braking process, the airplane started to fishtail and the pilot believed that the anti-skid system had failed. Therefore, the pilot turned the antiskid system off and continued the rollout with normal braking. The airplane went off the departure end of runway 05 and sustained substantial damage. Performance data indicated more runway surface was required for a safe landing on a wet runway without anti-skid assistance. The braking sequence of events described by the pilot resembled dynamic hydroplaning where there was a complete loss of braking effectiveness rather than an anti-skid malfunction. An examination of the airplane failed to disclose any mechanical problems.
Probable cause:
The pilot's premature decision to turn off the anti-skid during landing roll. Factors to this accident were hydroplaning conditions.

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Ansonia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1990 at 0551 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N331DP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit - Louisville
MSN:
23-067
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Aircraft flight hours:
5600
Circumstances:
At 0515 est, the flight was cleared for takeoff on a flight from Ypsilanti, MI to Louisville, KY. About 17 minutes later, the flight crew began to display indications of a deterioration of their ability to control the aircraft. At 1st, they deviated from instruments to hold west of the Findlay VOR at FL220. As the flight continued and was cleared to FL270, the crew displayed confusion about magnetic headings and basic instruments. At 1048 est, the aircraft deviated from the en route heading and the wrong heading was read back after a heading correction was given. Also, the aircraft continued climbing (to FL291), then radar and radio contact were lost at 0551 est. The controller noted the pilot's speech was slurred and some portions of the conversation were unintelligible. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed in a steep dive. No preimpact part failure was verified, though impact forces and post-crash fire resulted in extensive damage of the aircraft. The aircraft was equipped with oxygen and pressurization system. No audible warning was noted on ATC recordings to indicate the cabin altitude had exceeded 10,000 feet, though the aircraft was equipped with such a device. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The flight crew became incapacitated for undetermined reasons and lost control of the airplane.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Lisbon

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-GDAV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris - Lisbon
MSN:
23-017
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the twin engine aircraft belly landed at Lisbon-Portela de Sacavém Airport and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Learjet 23 at March AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1988 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N745F
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wichita – Tucson – Chino
MSN:
23-077
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6800
Circumstances:
After landing at the aircraft's manufacturer facility with an asymmetric fuel condition and an inoperative yaw damper the crew elected to continue the flight to their destination without correcting the deficiencies. Enroute the captain informed air traffic controllers that he had fuel coming from one tank and that he doubted that had fuel available to reach his destination. The controller cleared the aircraft to land at a March AFB, the nearby airport. As the aircraft turned onto the final approach it rolled inverted and impacted the ground inverted short of runway 32. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot decided to conduct his flight with known aircraft deficiencies. Induced company pressure to deliver the aircraft to its destination is considered to have been a factor in the accident.
Findings:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
1. (f) autopilot/flight director - inoperative
2. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted - pilot in command
3. (f) fuel system, transfer pump - inoperative
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23A in Guatemala City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N28ST
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Panama City - Guatemala City
MSN:
23-013
YOM:
1965
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On approach to Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility. It is believed he also encountered engine problems when the aircraft struck tree tops and crashed few km short of runway. A crew member was rescued while two other occupants were killed. The flight was operated on behalf of DHL Airways.