Narrative:
A Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2+ jet was damaged in a loss of control accident whilst on a flight from Leeds/Bradford Airport. The pilot and passenger were not injured.
As the aircraft approached its cruising altitude of FL430, the indicated airspeed decreased to about 128 knots. The pilot then reduced the rate of climb to 500 ft/min. However, over the next 50 seconds, the speed gradually reduced by a further 10 kts.
Close to FL430, the pilot checked his tablet to check the forecast. At that moment the aircraft pitched severely nose-down and rolled to the right, departing from controlled flight in a series of five 360° rolls to the right. The pilot briefly regained control before the aircraft stalled again and in the following recovery. The aircrafts wings were damaged in overload due to the +4.48g peak in acceleration, which was between the +3.6g ('limit' load) and +5.4g ('ultimate' load).
The pilot returned to Leeds/Bradford at FL280 and made a successful landing.
Conclusion:
The pilot operated the aircraft in an autopilot mode which left it vulnerable to a stall and did not monitor the reducing airspeed as the aircraft reached its cruising altitude. The 'sticking' of the stall warning system removed the safety feature specifically designed to protect against this.
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 31 December 2013 |
| Time: | 11:00 |
| Type: |  Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2+ |
| Operator: | private |
| Registration: | N380CR |
| MSN: | 525A-0465 |
| First flight: | 2010 |
| Engines: | 2 Williams International FJ44-3A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | 10,5 km (6.6 mls) NW of Coventry, Warwickshire ( United Kingdom)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Leeds/Bradford Airport (LBA/EGNM), United Kingdom |
| Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI/LEPA), Spain |
A Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2+ jet was damaged in a loss of control accident whilst on a flight from Leeds/Bradford Airport. The pilot and passenger were not injured.
As the aircraft approached its cruising altitude of FL430, the indicated airspeed decreased to about 128 knots. The pilot then reduced the rate of climb to 500 ft/min. However, over the next 50 seconds, the speed gradually reduced by a further 10 kts.
Close to FL430, the pilot checked his tablet to check the forecast. At that moment the aircraft pitched severely nose-down and rolled to the right, departing from controlled flight in a series of five 360° rolls to the right. The pilot briefly regained control before the aircraft stalled again and in the following recovery. The aircrafts wings were damaged in overload due to the +4.48g peak in acceleration, which was between the +3.6g ('limit' load) and +5.4g ('ultimate' load).
The pilot returned to Leeds/Bradford at FL280 and made a successful landing.
Probable Cause:
Conclusion:
The pilot operated the aircraft in an autopilot mode which left it vulnerable to a stall and did not monitor the reducing airspeed as the aircraft reached its cruising altitude. The 'sticking' of the stall warning system removed the safety feature specifically designed to protect against this.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Loss of control
Follow-up / safety actions
AAIB issued 2 Safety Recommendations
Show all...
Show all...
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Leeds/Bradford Airport to Palma de Mallorca Airport as the crow flies is 1614 km (1009 miles).
Distance from Leeds/Bradford Airport to Palma de Mallorca Airport as the crow flies is 1614 km (1009 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
