# Accident 20200229022279A: Learjet Inc 35A, Martinsburg, PA, February 29, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 29, 2020, 12:37 local time
- Place: Martinsburg, PA
- Airport: Altoona Pa
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: CDNA
- Location: 40.2964° N, 78.3200° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2964&lon=-78.3200&mi=10
- Aircraft: N721EC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N721EC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Learjet 35A (registry code 5170802, https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-35a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: AiResearch TFE731 series (registry code 01518, https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tfe731-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEARJET INC 35A
- Reported engine: AIRESEARCH TFE731 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA20CA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA120) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200229022279A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT DEPARTED (ABE) AIRPORT ALLENTOWN, PA. EN-ROUTE  TO ALTOONA PA. (AOO). PILOT WAS ON THE ILS RUNWAY 21. PILOT BROKE OUT IN VFR CONDITIONS AND WAS IN THE FLAIR FOR LANDING.

PILOT WAS IN THE LANDING ATTITUDE WHEN  A GUST OF WIND HIT THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT CAUSING THE LEFT WING TIP TANK TO STRIKE THE GROUND.

THE PILOT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND INITIATED A GO AROUND AND NOTICED A FUEL LEAK IN THE LEFT TIP TANK.

THE CREW THEN DIVERTED TO LATROBE PA ( ARNOLD PALMER REGIONAL AIRPORT  KLBE ) DUE TO BETTER WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LANDED UNEVENTFULLY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA20CA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA120), Feb 29, 2020: Learjet 35 (N721EC), Altoona, PA, substantial damage. 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.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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