Gates Learjet 35A N39WA
30 January 2004 · Akron, Ohio, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 30 January 2004 at about 17:35 local time, a Gates Learjet 35A registered N39WA, operated by Tri-Coastal Air, was involved in an accident near Akron, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. 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 17:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Akron, Ohio, United States
- Nearest airport
- Akron-Canton Regional (CAK)
- Coordinates
- 40.9161, -81.4422
- Aircraft
- Gates Learjet 35A
- Registration
- N39WA
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Tri-Coastal Air
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Toledo → Akron
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC04LA062
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
An improperly maintained ramp area, which resulted in a loss of airplane control while taxiing on ice. Factors in this accident were, high winds, and the down-sloping ramp.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
After landing, the pilot taxied from the runway to the ramp area. After making a turn onto the ramp, the airplane began to slide on top of an ice layer. The brakes were ineffective and the co-pilot shut down the engines; however, due to the downward slope of the ramp area and the wind conditions, the airplane continued to accelerate. The airplane struck a concrete retaining wall, before it came to rest. Examination of the ramp area revealed that it was covered with a 1-inch thick layer of smooth clear ice. The operator of the ramp said that other airplanes had taxied into and out of the ramp without problem prior to, and after the accident. However, sand had been applied to the ramp for the other aircraft, but not the accident airplane. In addition, the winds were lighter at the time the other aircraft were taxiing. The weather at the time of the accident included: wind from 270 degrees at 15 knots, and a temperature of 11 degrees F.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Gates Learjet 35 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Mar 2004 | Gates Learjet 35A | Utica, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jul 2005 | Gates Learjet 35A | Eagle, Colorado, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Aug 2003 | Gates Learjet 35A | Cancun, Mexico | Air America Flight Services, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 26 Dec 2006 | Gates Learjet 35A | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 2006 | Gates Learjet 35 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Bankair Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 2006 | Gates Learjet 35A | Groton, Connecticut, United States | International Jet Charter, Inc. | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2004 | Fraker MUSTANG II | Wauseon, Ohio, United States | Carlton Fraker | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Sep 2004 | Cessna 172S | Mount Gilead, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Sep 2004 | Cessna 172M | Medina, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jul 2004 | Henes ZENAIR CH 701 | Mansfield, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Oct 2004 | Fairchild 24R-40 | Custar, Ohio, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 3 Apr 2004 | Piper PA-28R-180 | Elyria, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |