Gates Learjet 35A N508GP
30 March 1999 · Rogers, Arkansas, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 30 March 1999 at about 17:47 local time, a Gates Learjet 35A registered N508GP, operated by Frazier Group, was involved in an accident near Rogers, Arkansas, United States. 10 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:47
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Rogers, Arkansas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Rogers Municipal Airport (ROG)
- Coordinates
- 36.3290, -94.1304
- Aircraft
- Gates Learjet 35A
- Registration
- N508GP
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Frazier Group
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Winston Salem → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW99LA103
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point and the fightcrew's delay in taking remedial action. A factor was the downdraft.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
A high rate of descent developed on final approach, and the turbojet touched down hard 12 feet short of the landing threshold. The left main landing gear separated after impacting the concrete foundation supporting the runway's approach lighting system. The captain reported that 'an unusual descent rate developed on short final approach,' and he tried to arrest the rate of descent. According to cockpit voice recorder information, about 33 seconds before ground impact, the first officer (FO) commented 'ref [reference speed] ten, sinking a thousand.' The captain had 3,100 flight hours, of which a total of 50 hours were in a Learjet. The FO had 14,000 flight hours, of which 2,100 hours were in a Learjet. Several passengers stated that 'the landing was very hard.' Some of the passengers stated that they felt a 'sinking sensation or downdraft' on final approach. The winds were reported from 150 degrees at 13 knots, with gusts to 19 knots. The pilot of a single engine airplane that landed at the airport 30 minutes prior to the accident reported a 15 to 20 knot loss in airspeed while on final approach.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Gates Learjet 35 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jan 1999 | Gates Learjet 35 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jul 1997 | Gates Learjet 35A | Avon Park, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Feb 2001 | Gates Learjet 35A | Nurnberg, Germany | E.A.S. Aeroservizi S.A.S. | Fatal | 3 |
| 23 May 1995 | Gates Learjet 35A | Rogers, Arkansas, United States | Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 15 Aug 2003 | Gates Learjet 35A | Cancun, Mexico | Air America Flight Services, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 19 Mar 2004 | Gates Learjet 35A | Utica, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1999 | Rockwell S-2R | Dermott, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 1999 | McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | Little Rock, Arkansas, United States | - | Fatal | 11 |
| 12 Sep 1999 | Cessna 172RG | Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States | Flight Works Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Sep 1999 | Cessna 172K | Mountain Home, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1999 | Piper PA-38-112 | Ozark, Arkansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 1999 | Cessna 172D | Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States | Greg Swink | No injuries | - |