Crash of a Learjet 25C near Iguape: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1992 at 0911 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-LHU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Curitiba - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
25-099
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
6520
Captain / Total hours on type:
9.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1950
Copilot / Total hours on type:
9
Aircraft flight hours:
5655
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Curitiba-Afonso Pena Airport at 0850LT on an 'on demand' taxi flight to Rio de Janeiro, carrying four passengers and two pilots. Once the assigned altitude of 33,000 feet was reached, the crew failed to reduce the engine power when, 3 minutes and 10 seconds later, the stick puller activated. The aircraft climbed to 33,900 feet then entered an uncontrolled descent. With a rate of descent of 18,000 feet per minute, the aircraft crashed in a near vertical attitude in a field. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the following findings were reported:
- a. Human Factor
(1) Undetermined Physiological Aspect
Given the characteristics of the accident, which resulted in the destruction of the bodies, making it impossible to carry out examinations, it cannot be specified whether it contributed or not. However one cannot rule out the possibility that one of the crew members has been affected by a sudden illness (2nd Hypothesis of the Analysis).
(2) Psychological Aspect - Undetermined
It may have influenced, to the extent that the commander was operating an aircraft in which he had little experience and little knowledge, and which was demonstrated by the insecurity in the operation, reported to other pilots.
b. Material Factor
(1) Design Deficiency - Undetermined
Despite the information provided by representatives of Learjet Corp. who participated in the investigations, that the compensator engine ('pitch trim') with which this aircraft was equipped, had already undergone the modifications determined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), one cannot help but wonder about a possible firing and locking of the 'pitch trim' engine in the extreme position (3rd Hypothesis of the Analysis). This aspect was hampered as the destruction suffered by the aircraft made a detailed analysis of the pitch trim system impossible.
c. Operational Factor
(1) Disabled Instruction - Contributed.
The commander and the co-pilot received a less than desired instruction, in quantitative and qualitative terms. As a result, the pilots did not acquire the full technical conditions necessary for the proper operation of the aircraft. The failure to perform the standard procedure to be followed in the emergency that led to the accident, i.e. the lowering of the landing gear, attests to the poor instruction given.
(2) Deficient Application of Controls: - Contributed
The pilots did not adjust the engine power properly after leveling and, after the aircraft started to abruptly descend, as a result, the 'overspeed' occurred, they could not avoid the loss of control.
(3) Weak Cockpit Coordination - Contributed.
The pilots made inadequate use of the aircraft's resources for its operation.
(4) Forgetfulness - Contributed.
This aspect is in accordance with the previous one, since the lowering of the undercarriage is part of the standard procedure to be performed in cases of overspeed.
(5) Little Flight Experience in the Aircraft - Contributed
The captain, despite having 6,500 hours of flight time, had already intended to fly another jet plane, but had flown little on Learjet. The other pilot, in turn, had had less experience in jet flying as a co-pilot, and in the Learjet, specifically, flew less than the commander.
As a result, when they were faced with an emergency that required rapid identification in order to take the necessary measures to remedy it, they lacked the necessary experience.
(6) Deficient Supervisor - contributed.
The air taxi company, to which the pilots belonged, was in a hurry to train this new crew. This resulted in inadequate operational training for the pilots, which demonstrates poor supervision of the company. The Civil Aviation System, through the regional body that deals directly with general aviation, failed to carry out proper oversight, as it did not detect the errors in the statements of instruction, and allowed the checks of the captain and the co-pilot to be carried out without reaching the minimum amount of flight hours and landings on that aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Sheboygan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1992 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N38DJ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sheboygan - Manitowoc
MSN:
25-191
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
17012
Captain / Total hours on type:
5738.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9798
Circumstances:
The crew discussed touch-and-go landings as they walked out to board. The captain occupied the right seat to allow the copilot to fly the short repositioning flight from the left. The airplane lifted off prematurely and remained in ground effect. Roll attitude vacillated slightly before onset of a rapid right roll to inverted at ground impact. The engines continued to run after impact; both were selected to high power. No material or mechanical discrepancy was found which diminished power or aircraft control. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The copilot's premature liftoff and the captain's inadequate remedial action resulting in loss of aircraft control at low altitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Carlsbad

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1991 at 0825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N44PA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Carlsbad
MSN:
25-144
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6180
Captain / Total hours on type:
117.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8117
Circumstances:
The pilot and copilot reported in their written statements that the airplane was above glideslope on the final approach. They said the airplane touched down about 1,500 feet from the approach end of the 4,700 feet long runway. The pilot said he applied the brakes but could not stop the airplane on the runway. The airplane departed the end of the runway and continued forward over rough and uneven terrain. The main landing gear sheared off and penetrated both wings. The airplane came to a stop in a gully. Other witnesses located on the ground and in the air traffic control tower reported the airplane was 'high and fast' and touched down at about midfield or after.
Probable cause:
The pilot not attaining the proper touchdown point because of excessive altitude and airspeed, and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around. A factor in this accident was the rough and uneven terrain which was encountered after the aircraft departed the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25XR in Columbus

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1991 at 2152 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N458J
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Philadelphia - Columbus
MSN:
25-106
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9450
Captain / Total hours on type:
4156.00
Circumstances:
N458J was landing during a rain shower. As the airplane started to flare for landing, the wind caused it to drift to the right. The pilot started to correct this drift, as the rain became heavier. During the touchdown, the pilot lost visual reference with the runway, yet he continued with the landing roll. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and ran into soft terrain. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to maintain visual reference with the runway during a landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's failure to initiate a go-around, after he lost sight of the runway during the touchdown. Factors related to the accident were the heavy rain and the lack of runway centerline lights.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25D in Brasilía: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-LLL
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Uberaba - Brasilía
MSN:
25-258
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On a night approach to Brasilía Airport, the aircraft crashed 8 km short of runway. All seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Learjet 25C in Belo Horizonte: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1991 at 2040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-KKV
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Brasília – Belo Horizonte
MSN:
25-172
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On final approach to Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. On short final, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near a motorway located few hundred meters short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were injured. Three minutes prior to the accident, the crew reported to ATC that all was ok on board.

Crash of a Learjet 25C in Juiz de Fora: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1990 at 1503 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-CMY
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Juiz de Fora – Belo Horizonte – Monte Carlos
MSN:
25-108
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Copilot / Total hours on type:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport on a cargo flight to Monte Carlos with intermediate stops in Juiz de Fora and Belo Horizonte, carrying two passengers, two pilots and a load of bank notes. Because the crew failed to prepare the flight according to procedures, the aircraft left Rio de Janeiro with a total weight in excess of 711 kilos. Following a poor flight and approach planning, the crew failed to make the appropriate landing calculations and upon arrival, the total weight of the aircraft was 946 kilos above the max landing weight. The aircraft landed on a wet runway and after touchdown, the spoilers did not deployed. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, went down an embankment and came to rest in a plantation, bursting into flames. A pilot and a passenger were killed while both other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- Poor flight preparation,
- Poor flight planning,
- Poor approach planning,
- The crew failed to calculate the landing distance and performances,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Poor judgement on part of the crew about the existing flight conditions,
- Lack of supervision,
- Lack of crew training,
- Poor crew experience on such type of aircraft,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure following a wrong landing configuration.

Crash of a Learjet 25C in Ribeirão das Neves: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1989 at 0002 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-ISN
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Belo Horizonte
MSN:
25-113
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While approaching Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. Two minutes before landing, the aircraft struck trees and crashed on a hilly terrain located 15 km short of runway 13, near Ribeirão das Neves. All four occupants were killed.
Crew:
César Augusto da Costa e Silva, pilot,
João Bosco Monteiro Barros, copilot.
Passengers.
Alexandrino Horta,
Pedro Ernani Goulart.

Crash of a Learjet 25D off Posadas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1989 at 1059 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
LV-MMV
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buenos Aires - Posadas
MSN:
25-259
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight, the crew started an ILS approach to runway 01 at Posadas-Libertador General José San Martín Airport. As the aircraft was too high on the glide, the captain decided to abandon the approach and initiated a go-around. Few minutes later, he attempted to make a visual approach to runway 19. On final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the water surface and crashed in the Paraná River, few hundred meters offshore. Two passengers were killed while five other occupants were injured. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Learjet 25D in Belém: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1989 at 1904 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-KYR
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Goiânia – Belém
MSN:
25-266
YOM:
1979
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4336
Captain / Total hours on type:
36.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2304
Copilot / Total hours on type:
380
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Goiânia, the crew started the descent to Belém-Val de Cans Airport runway 06 via heading 243° then reported 6 nm from the airport at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Eleven seconds later, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located on the Oncas Island, few km short of runway 06 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control may have been the result of windshear that existed in the approach path of runway 06.
The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew did not have sufficient training and experience to manage a windshear situation and thus, was unable to take the appropriate corrective actions,
- Poor crew coordination,
- The captain's experience on this type of aircraft was low,
- Poor supervision,
- Lack of safety culture by the operator.
Final Report: