# NTSB ATL97LA080: Learjet 31A, N31PV, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), May 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1997, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3853/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA080 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed within the design structural limits of the airplane. ## Analysis While over the Atlantic Ocean at 23,000 feet, the flight received a clearance to descend to 13,000 feet. The instructor pilot took control of the airplane to demonstrate an emergency descent. While descending, the first officer student pilot believed the instructor pilot to be disoriented and assisted in the recovery. The instructor pilot stated he was disoriented and allowed the airplane to reach red line (maximum airspeed allowed). Upon landing, a mechanic noted that the refueling door was missing, and there was damage to the horizontal stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1997, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Learjet 31A, N31PV, sustained structural damage while maneuvering over the Atlantic Ocean. The airplane was operated by Federal Investment under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Although the prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions, an instrument flight plan had been filed for this training flight. The airline transport pilot in command and his commercial pilot first officer were not injured, nor was the one passenger. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 1015. The Learjet was on a training flight which departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, flew over Orlando, and returned to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. While over the Atlantic Ocean at 23,000 feet, the airplane received a clearance to descend to 13,000 feet. The instructor pilot took control of the airplane to demonstrate an emergency descent. While descending, the first officer believed the instructor pilot to be disoriented and assisted with the recovery. The instructor pilot commented that they were "up to red line", and he was "disoriented by the vibration". He stated that he believed the vibration to be from a previous encounter with hail. They recovered the airplane before 13,000 feet was reached. Upon landing at Fort Lauderdale Executive, it was noted that the single point refueling door, aft of the right wing, was missing and that there was substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. Both of this parts were replaced, and the airplane was restored to flight status. This airplane was a new aircraft with only 34 hours of total aircraft flight time. Prior to this accident, the airplane had been inspected one other time. This inspection followed a flight in which the airplane was showered with hail after flying near a thunderstorm. This inspection noted hail damage to the engine and nose cone. Both the engine nacelle and the nose cone were subsequently replaced, and the aircraft was cleared for flight. No other damage was noted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - horizontal stabilizer - bent - door,service - separation ## Aircraft - Registration: N31PV (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Learjet 31A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 130 - Airframe hours: 34 - Engines: Garrett TFE-731-2-3B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Federal Investment - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Destination: FXE, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FLL, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, runway 9L, 9,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 20,000 total, 16,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970507020109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970507020109A), May 7, 1997: Lear 31A, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. Demo emergency descent. Vibration at redline disoriented SIC aided pullout, landed. Fuel door gone. Bent stabilizer (-23) aircraft departed fll on training… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.