# NTSB ANC85MA157: Gates Learjet 24D, N455JA, Gulkana, AK, August 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1985, 02:05 local (10:05 UTC)
- Place: Gulkana, AK
- Coordinates: 62.099906, -145.529312 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0999&lon=-145.5293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85MA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85MA157

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - fatigue(circadian rhythm), copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(flight schedule), company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT ARRIVAL, THE FLT WAS ON AN INSTRUMENT APCH TO THE GULKANA ARPT WHEN RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WAS LOST. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED & THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 7.4 MI NORTH OF THE TERMINAL VOR ON THE 330 DEG RADIAL. THE INBOUND COURSE FOR THE VOR RWY 14 APCH WAS ON THE 315 DEG RADIAL. AN ON-SCENE EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT WAS TRACKING INBOUND WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH TREES, CRASHED & BURNED ABOUT 2.4 MI BEFORE REACHING THE FINAL APCH FIX. BOTH ENGS WERE OPERATING DURING IMPACT & BOTH HAD INJESTED CONSIDERABLE TREE MATERIAL. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS EVIDENT. THE CAPTAIN & 1ST OFFICER WERE CURRENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR FLYING BOTH THE LEARJET & DHC-7 ACFT. THIS WAS THE CAPTAIN'S 1ST DAY OF WORK AFTER RETURNING FROM A VACATION TRIP TO HAWAII (APRX 1-1/2 WEEKS). THE 1ST OFFICER HAD AN ADEQUATE PERIOD FOR CREW REST PRIOR TO REPORTING FOR WORK; HOWEVER, HE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN WORKING A VARIED SCHEDULE. THE OPERATOR REPEATEDLY SHIFTED PLTS FROM 14 CFR 135 REST/DUTY REQUIREMENTS TO THOSE OF 14 CFR 121.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N455JA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GATES LEARJET 24D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 300
- Airframe hours: 6645
- Engines: GE CJ-610-6 2950 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Era Helicopters, Inc., doing business as Jet Alaska
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 1, 1985, 86 hours before
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: GKN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GKN, Gulkana, runway 14, 4,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,582 total, 801 in this make and model, 3,468 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Observed at: GKN, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850820042029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850820042029A), Aug 20, 1985: Lear 24D, Gulkana, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees and the ground during a night VOR approach. Aircraft completly destroyed. Low clouds,fog in area.

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.

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