Incident Overview
Date: Friday 14 October 1994
Aircraft Type: Learjet 23
Owner/operator: Kalitta Flying Services
Registration Number: N20TA
Location: Holland, MI –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Landing GearLanding Gear
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A flight experienced a near-miss landing due to a pilot’s misjudgment of the touchdown point, resulting in a left-induced veering and subsequent landing gear collapse. The crew reported a cracking sound and a leftward yaw, prompting the captain to abort the landing. Subsequent investigation revealed a damaged landing gear and a leaking fuel tank, leading to the aircraft’s collapse.A flight experienced a near-miss landing due to a pilot’s misjudgment of the touchdown point, resulting in a left-induced veering and subsequent landing gear collapse. The crew reported a cracking sound and a leftward yaw, prompting the captain to abort the landing. Subsequent investigation revealed a damaged landing gear and a leaking fuel tank, leading to the aircraft’s collapse.
Description
THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE COPILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE. FOLLOWING WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A NORMAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WITH A 10-15 DEG RIGHT YAW. THE CREW REPORTEDLY HEARD A CRACKING SOUND, AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CAPTAIN TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND ABORTED THE LANDING. A SUBSEQUENT FLY-BY DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WAS DAMAGED, AND THE LEFT WINGTIP FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE CREW RETURNED TO THEIR HOME AIRPORT FOR REPAIRS, AND DURING LANDING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. Probable Cause: THE COPILOT’S MISJUDGMENT OF THE TOUCHDOWN POINT, AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND’S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT.
Primary Cause
Pilot’s misjudgment of touchdown point and inadequate supervision.Pilot’s misjudgment of touchdown point and inadequate supervision.Share on:
