Gates Learjet 35A N640BA

Summary

On 22 June 2015 at about 20:45 local time, a Gates Learjet 35A registered N640BA, operated by Beta Aire Ltd, was involved in an accident near Grosse Ile, Michigan, United States. 4 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.

Date

22 June 2015 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Grosse Ile, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Grosse Ile Muni (ONZ)

Coordinates

42.0964, -83.1600

Aircraft

Gates Learjet 35A

Registration

N640BA

Category

Airplane

Year built

1991

Engines

2

Operator

Beta Aire Ltd

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Executive/Corporate

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grosse Ile → Chicago

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA15CA163

Nobody was injured.

The airplane's collision with a deer on the unfenced runway during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident is the airport's failure to establish a continuous fence between the runway and the nature conservancy.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, while accelerating through 130 knots, a "faint bump" was felt. The flight crew continued the takeoff and experienced difficulty controlling the airplane, but were able to stabilize the airplane in flight. The flight crew reported that there were no annunciations or warnings on the flight deck, but they were able to identify damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The flight crew diverted to an alternate airport and landed without incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Following the accident, a deer was found on the runway at the departure airport. The departure airport perimeter is partially fenced and co-exists on an island with a nature conservancy. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation prior to hitting the deer.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.