The Second-In-Command, Who Was The Pilot Flying, Called To Abort The Takeoff

Location: Newport News, VA Accident Number: ERA23LA075
Date & Time: November 30, 2022, 07:30 Local Registration: N12FN
Aircraft: Gates Lear Jet Corp. 36 Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use

On November 30, 2022, about 0730 eastern standard time, a Lear Jet Corp. 36, N12FN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), Newport News, Virginia. The pilot-in-command, second-in-command, and flight crew member were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), the preflight inspection, engine start-up, and taxi were “normal.” During the takeoff roll, he heard “one boom” and one second later called V1, which is the maximum speed at which a rejected takeoff can be initiated in the event of an emergency. At the same time, he called “V1” the PIC noted a second “boom” and the second-in-command, who was the pilot flying, called to abort the takeoff. The PIC reported to air traffic control that they were aborting the takeoff with a suspected blown tire. They attempted to slow the airplane, but the there was no braking action. The crew elected to deploy the drag parachute, but the airplane continued off the end of the runway, went through the runway end lights, and into the grass. After the airplane came to rest, the crew egressed without injury.

A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left wing sustained substantial damage in the accident sequence. According to the operator’s operations manager, the airplane’s tire pressures should have been checked at least every 7 days. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the tire pressures were last checked on November 8, 2022, and at that time the tires were at the proper pressure. When the tire pressures were checked on November 15, 2022, the left inboard tire was low (90 PSI). Air was added to the tire and the airplane was returned to service. The tire pressures were not documented between November 15, 2022, and the accident flight.

According to the airplane’s maintenance manual, the tire pressures should be checked before the first flight of every day. Furthermore, it stated that “Tire pressures are affected by temperature. Tire pressures must be measured when the tires are at ambient temperature. An ambient temperature change of 5°F will change the tire pressure by 1%. Temperature/pressure changes must be kept in mind particularly when the aircraft is parked in a hot hangar and is rolled onto a cold runway.”

FMI: www.ntsb.gov