Learjet LR-24D N45CP

Summary

On 15 July 1990 at about 06:14 local time, a Learjet LR-24D registered N45CP was involved in an accident near Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 July 1990 at 06:14

Classification

Accident

Location

Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Benton Harbor Ross Field (BEH)

Coordinates

42.1100, -86.4403

Aircraft

Learjet LR-24D

Registration

N45CP

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

South Bend → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI90LA172

Nobody was injured.

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGED APPROACH TO LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT RUNNING OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A RAVINE. THE LATE, DARK NIGHT, IFR CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, HE AND HIS CO-PILOT RETURNED TO BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN TO POSITION THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOT THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27, AND BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 1100 FEET, WITH AN ESTIMATED 6 MILES VISIBILITY. HE REPORTED THAT THE 'HIGH INTENSITY APPROACH LIGHTS WERE ON FULL BRIGHT, DESTROYING MY NIGHT VISION....'HE STATED THAT ONCE THEY PASSED THE APPROACH LIGHTS HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RUNWAY SURFACE, AND THE THE AIRCRAFT 'MUST HAVE FLOATED....'HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CO-PILOT'S STATEMENT CONCURS. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 8,300 HOURS, INCLUDING 2,100 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL, AND 5,000 HOURS OF NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.