Gates Learjet 36A N527PA

Summary

On 26 March 2007 at about 11:30 local time, a Gates Learjet 36A registered N527PA was involved in an accident near Newport News, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 March 2007 at 11:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Newport News, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Newport News International (PHF)

Coordinates

37.1317, -76.4928

Aircraft

Gates Learjet 36A

Registration

N527PA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newport News → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC07LA087

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the landing gear tires due to foreign object damage (FOD) on the runway. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the drag chute.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll, the flightcrew heard a "loud pop," and the airplane began to pull to the left. The pilot flying (PF) aborted the takeoff, and the airplane began to "fishtail" down the runway. The drag chute was activated by the pilot not flying (PNF); however, it appeared to be inoperative and the pilots were unable to stop the airplane on the runway. The airplane continued off the right side, impacted a runway light, and came to rest in the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed that both of the left main landing gear tires had blown, and the left main landing gear was separated from the airplane. Due to severe fragmentation of the tires, the origin of the tire failure could not be identified. Additionally, the strap of the drag chute had separated from the airplane, and was located in the vicinity of the blown tires. Airport personnel reported observing rocks and pieces of metal on the runway after the accident. Both tires were installed on the airplane approximately 3 weeks prior to the accident, and had accumulated 19 hours and 10 cycles since their installation. According to the airplane manufacturer, the drag chute should be deployed on landing at least once during each six-month interval. The drag chute should then be inspected and re-packed per the Maintenance Manual instructions. According to maintenance records, the drag chute was most recently re-packed during a routine inspection, three months prior to the accident, and the airplane had flown 59 hours since then. The drag chute had not been deployed prior to, or after the inspection.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.