# NTSB ATL90LA080: Learjet 24, N100VQ, Anderson, SC, March 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1990, 21:45 local (Mar 16, 1990, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Anderson, SC
- Coordinates: 34.509201, -82.640792 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5092&lon=-82.6408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8218/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA080

## Probable cause

ELECTRICAL ARCING WHICH RESULTED FROM A SHORT IN THE PILOT'S MAP LIGHT CIRCUIT; A CHAFTED WIRE CONTACTED THE OXYGEN SUPPLY LINE AT THE OXYGEN CONTROL PANEL IN THE COCKPIT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE OXYGEN PANEL PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE PILOT'S MAP LIGHT WHICH ALLOWED CONTACT BETWEEN THE TWO SYSTEMS.

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 42,000 FEET, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ADUST HIS MAP LIGHT WHEN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER POPPED. WHEN THE COPILOT RESET THE BREAKER A FIRE IGNITED AT THE OXYGEN PANEL. THE BLOWTORCH EFFECT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT INTERIOR AT THE PILOT'S STATION. TWO PASSENGERS WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR SMOKE INHALATION. EXAMINATION OF THE DAMAGED AREA DISCLOSED THAT A WIRE FROM THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ARCED AND CONTACTED AN OXYGEN SUPPLY LINE. FURTHER EXAMINATION ALSO DISCLOSED LOOSE OXYGEN LINES ADJACENT TO THE ARCING. SUBSEQUENT TO THE MISHAP, LEARJET DEVELOPED A PROTECTION KIT TO PREVENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE OXYGEN LINES AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - oxygen system - chafed (cause)
  - flight compartment light(s) - chafed (cause)
- Fire, cruise
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100VQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N100VQ), registered now, S/N 140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEARJET 24
- Registry model: [Learjet 24](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-24) (registry code 5170302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE CJ610-SER series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cj610-ser-series) (registry code 30006, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 140
- Airframe hours: 10014
- Engines: GE CJ610-4 2850 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Suncoast Air Charter & Maint.
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 2, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AND, Anderson County, runway 23, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,300 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: AND

## 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 19900315004489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900315004489A), Mar 15, 1990: Lear 24, Anderson, SC, Substantial damage. Fire in flight when SIC reset map light circuit breaker. Oxygen line had hole from chafing rheostat. No safety brief

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.