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************************************************** ********** NTSB ADVISORY ************************************************** ********** National Transportation Safety Board Washington, DC 20594 September 20, 2008 ************************************************** ********** NTSB LAUNCHES TEAM TO INVESTIGATE BUSINESS JET CRASH IN SOUTH CAROLINA ************************************************** ********** The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a Go Team to investigate the crash of a business jet at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in West Columbia, South Carolina. The Learjet 60 (N999LJ) crashed on take-off at 11:53 p.m. EDT on Friday. Of the six people on board, two crewmembers and two passengers were fatally injured. NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator Bill English has been designated as Investigator-in-Charge. NTSB Board Member Debbie Hersman will serve as principal spokesman during the on-scene investigation. The Safety Board's 11-member team includes two representatives from the Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance. Peter Knudson will accompany the team as press officer.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Officials say a Learjet has crashed while departing from a Columbia, S.C., airport, killing four people on board and injuring two others.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen says the plane carrying six people was departing shortly before midnight Friday when air traffic controllers reporting seeing sparks. She says the plane went off the runway and crashed on a nearby road.
Bergen says the Lear 60 was headed to Van Nuys, Calif.
She didn't have the names of those killed and didn't know the conditions of the two people injured.
I don't want to be known as "Mr. Flaps", but I couldn't see any flaps extended in the pictures on tv. The pictures on tv showed a very demolished plane, though it seems the stab trim was in a proper position for takeoff.
1. How much flap is usually used for takeoff in this type?
2. can anyone clearly see flaps deployed in the pictures?
3. how does takeoff warning system work?
4. both runways at KCAE are 8000feet plus long.
5. sparks...seen by controllers...could be many sources, among them: engine, brakes, tail skid/tail on rotation
6. did you see investigator "sniffing" something on the video feed?
I fly Lear 60's, so this hits pretty close to home. No they do not have slats. Flaps are normally set to 20 degrees for takeoff, so they should be visible.
Flaps are only set to 8 degrees for takeoff when departing from mountainous airports, when a higher climb gradient is required.
The takeoff warning horn will sound when thrust levers are advanced past 80% and the flaps are not set at either 8 degrees or 20 degrees (i.e. up or down).
Sparks would indicate, to me, that something was dragging from the aircraft, what this might be, I don't have an idea.
If the takeoff warning horn was sounding, "and" they continued the takeoff, at rotation, they may have put the tail on the ground, and had some sparks from that. If anyone can get a good look at the delta fins to see if there are any drag marks, or if they are worn down, that might help provide some insight.
If you look at Flightaware FlightAware > Live Flight Tracker > History > N999LJ at the history of this aircraft, you will see a flight to Tulsa on Sept 12 that was diverted back to Teterboro. This may point to some type of Mechanical issue. There was another flight on Spet 18. This may have been a test flight after repairs done to the aircraft. I do not have any inside info, this is only an observation.
NTSB just arrived on the scene in CAE, Deborah Hersman is briefing the press. She says it was a runway overrun on runway 11. The flight was an on demand part 135 charter with a destination of Van Nuys, California. She gives the operator as "Global Executive [sic] Aviation" probably these folks: Global Exec Aviation
She says the plane was about a year old.
Quote:
Here's a link with better photos.
Hard to tell about the flaps, are they composite on the Lear 60?
I'm a current Lear 60 pilot, too. The flaps were likely supposed to be at 20 for that takeoff. However, it is possible that in the post-crash fire that the flaps were damaged. Also, during the crash it is possible that the flaps were forced up by impact/damaged hydraulic lines, etc.
The flaps are not composite... normal aircraft metals.
Could be a high-speed abort I dunno.... the 60 has horrible wheels and brakes. They are the same from the 20 and 30-series lears (much smaller jets). Brake energy is real problem on the 60, even with brand new brakes and a test pilot flying.
the flaps are questionable only due to pictures available
The aircraft was reasonably structurally intact and right side up and skidded off the runway leaving a trail to where it came to a stop so I do suspect it was aborted on the ground. Of course an examination of the runway itself would also give a clue.
You have to wonder what maint was performed in Teterboro, the airplane departed from that airport on 9/12 for Tulsa only to return a short while later. Then it appears a maint check flight was performed on 9/18.
I agree no abort, the big Lears only have marginal at best brakes, and it appears the reversers are stowed.
Fadec issues?
The WX was excellent, long runway, they didnt depart with a tailwind, it will be very interesting to see what they find.
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