Factual Record Also Scrutinizes Pilot's Qualifications
Weight and a lack of sufficient training may have been factors
in the February 2 runway overrun by a Bombardier Challenger CL-600
at Teterboro Airport, according to documents released by the
NTSB.
As was reported in Aero-News, the bizjet
overran the departure end of a runway at Teterboro, after
attempting to abort takeoff. The jet plowed into a
fence at the end of airport property, and crossed a city street
before ending up against a warehouse. No one was killed in the
incident, although the pilot, copilot, and two people in cars
struck by the jet were seriously injured.
While the documents contain no analysis of the events
surrounding the accident -- the NTSB investigation is ongoing --
the forms do contain factual information on the incident, including
transcripts of the cockpit voice recorder. Interviews with the
pilot, copilot and others involved in the incident are also
available.
According to Newsday, the documents indicate the agency is
focusing on the weight of the aircraft at the time it attempted to
takeoff. Pilot John Kimberling said in an April 28 interview with
the NTSB he had estimated the total weight of the aircraft, fuel,
the eight passengers and three crewmembers onboard, and their
luggage to be 40,400 to 40,600 lbs. Maximum gross weight for the
CL-600 involved in the accident is 41,440, according to the
magazine.
The factual report-- which should soon be available on the NTSB
website -- show Kimberling was questioned rigorously by the NTSB
regarding the weight issue, including his method of calculating
passenger weight. Kimberling stated to the agency his passengers
were mostly "small guys" so he rated them at the standard weight of
170 pounds, adding he would often allow more weight for larger
passengers.
According to the NTSB documents, Kimberling stated all felt
normal as he began his takeoff run, with no warning lights
displayed. However, when he attempted to pull back on the yoke he
said there was no response.
"I was coming up on an intersection and I started to pull back
and it wouldn't pull back," Kimberling said. "I yelled 'abort,
abort' and I'm flying through the intersection."
Both eyewitness accounts and conversations with the pilots
indicate the aircraft never left the runway.
While the NTSB also scrutinizes Kimberling's qualifications in
the documents, the reports also show he was well-regarded among his
coworkers. Co-pilot Carlos Salaverria rated him a '10' on a 10
point scale, for example. Kimberling also maintained he had
adequate training on the CL-600 series of aircraft.
While the NTSB continues its investigation, the FAA is also
seeking civil penalties to the tune of $1.8 million against the
jet's operator, the now-defunct Platinum Jet Management. The agency
accuses Platinum of operating "the aircraft in a careless or
reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another,"
according to Newsday.
Platinum Jet has also been cited with violating numerous
regulations, including altering weight records on the charter
flight and not properly training its flight crew. A definitive
ruling may be difficult to come by, however, as the company ceased
operations in March.