Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 24 May 2006
Aircraft Type: IAI 1124 Westwind
Owner/operator: Air Trek
Registration Number: N475AT
Location: George Town-Exuma International Airport (GGT) – ÿ Bahamas
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 8
Component Affected: Right Main Landing Gear TireRight Main Landing Gear Tire
Investigating Agency: AAIPUAAIPU
Category: Accident
An air ambulance flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, deviated from its planned route to Punta Gord -Charlotte County Airport, Florida, due to a series of electronic warnings and malfunctions. The pilot reported receiving a Left GEN OFF annunciator light, completed the Quick Reference Handbook, and continued with the right generator. A subsequent malfunction, including GPS receiver input issues and a low battery reading, led to an emergency declaration and vectoring to Exuma International Airport. The aircraft subsequently experienced a tire blowout during landing, resulting in a runway excursion. Investigation revealed the aircraft was stripped of its components and instruments, and the flight was terminated.An air ambulance flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, deviated from its planned route to Punta Gord -Charlotte County Airport, Florida, due to a series of electronic warnings and malfunctions. The pilot reported receiving a Left GEN OFF annunciator light, completed the Quick Reference Handbook, and continued with the right generator. A subsequent malfunction, including GPS receiver input issues and a low battery reading, led to an emergency declaration and vectoring to Exuma International Airport. The aircraft subsequently experienced a tire blowout during landing, resulting in a runway excursion. Investigation revealed the aircraft was stripped of its components and instruments, and the flight was terminated.

Description

The air ambulance flight departed San Juan (SJU), Puerto Rico about 23:15. The pilot stated that while en route they received a Left GEN OFF annunciator light. The Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) was completed and the flight continued with the right generator functioning normally. The decision was made to divert to Punta Gorda-Charlotte County Airport, FL (PGD). The flight continued and approximately 1 hour 40 minutes into the flight the captain noticed several annunciations, and messages that both GPS receivers were not receiving input from the #2 electrical bus. The right generator was checked and it appeared to be functioning normally, but when the captain later checked the battery gauge it was reading 11-14 volts. He declared an emergency with ATC and advised the controller of their situation, and requested a vector to the nearest airport. The flight was vectored to the Exuma International Airport (GGT), Bahamas and while fully configured for landing while flying at 1,500 feet, the airplane, “…became dark.” No lights were on at the airport and the captain spotted what he thought was the runway. After touchdown, he applied full brakes and the thrust reversers but they did not deploy. At some point during the landing roll the right main landing gear tire blew and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. After coming to rest the captain attempted to secure both engines but the left engine continued to operate. Findings and Probable Cause could not be determined as the aircraft was stripped of its components, instrumentations, manuals and CVR by the owners of the aircraft, without permission or authorization from the Accident Investigation Personnel

Primary Cause

Electronic malfunction and a combination of system failure and improper maintenance resulting in a critical component failure during landing.Electronic malfunction and a combination of system failure and improper maintenance resulting in a critical component failure during landing.

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