Narrative:
The flight crew reported that, after an instrument landing system approach and during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a strong wind gust that pushed the airplane toward the edge of the runway, so they initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the left-wing tip tank struck the runway. The flight crew diverted to another airport where the weather conditions were more favorable, and after landing, examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing had sustained substantial damage. The calculated crosswind component was 18 knots at the time of landing. According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 24.7 knots.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot flying's improper lateral bank control during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, which
resulted in the left-wing tip tank striking the runway."
Runway mishap
KAOO 291720Z AUTO 31015KT 3/4SM -SN BKN023 BKN031 OVC046 M05/M10 A2994 RMK AO2 SNE03B12 P0000 T10501100
18:13 UTC / 13:13 local time:
KAOO 291813Z AUTO 31013G23KT 3SM -SN BKN030 BKN046 OVC055 M04/M09 A2993 RMK AO2 P0000 T10391089
accident date: 29-02-2020
type: Learjet 35A
registration: N721EC
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 29 February 2020 |
| Time: | 12:37 |
| Type: |  Learjet 35A |
| Operator: | East Coast Jets |
| Registration: | N721EC |
| MSN: | 35A-355 |
| First flight: | 1980 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 14859 |
| Engines: | 2 Garrett TFE731-2C-2B |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Altoona Airport, PA (AOO) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Allentown-Lehigh Valley International Airport, PA (ABE/KABE), United States of America |
| Altoona Airport, PA (AOO/KAOO), United States of America |
The flight crew reported that, after an instrument landing system approach and during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a strong wind gust that pushed the airplane toward the edge of the runway, so they initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the left-wing tip tank struck the runway. The flight crew diverted to another airport where the weather conditions were more favorable, and after landing, examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing had sustained substantial damage. The calculated crosswind component was 18 knots at the time of landing. According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 24.7 knots.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot flying's improper lateral bank control during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, which
resulted in the left-wing tip tank striking the runway."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Runway mishap
Sources:
» NTSBMETAR Weather report:
17:20 UTC / 12:20 local time:KAOO 291720Z AUTO 31015KT 3/4SM -SN BKN023 BKN031 OVC046 M05/M10 A2994 RMK AO2 SNE03B12 P0000 T10501100
18:13 UTC / 13:13 local time:
KAOO 291813Z AUTO 31013G23KT 3SM -SN BKN030 BKN046 OVC055 M04/M09 A2993 RMK AO2 P0000 T10391089
Photos
accident date: 29-02-2020
type: Learjet 35A
registration: N721EC
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 Allentown-Lehigh Valley International Airport, PA to Altoona Airport, PA as the crow flies is 245 km (153 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Allentown-Lehigh Valley International Airport, PA to Altoona Airport, PA as the crow flies is 245 km (153 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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.
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