# NTSB CEN09CA175: Gates Learjet 35A, N465NW, Kansas City, MO, February 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 24, 2009, 06:05 local (12:05 UTC) - Place: Kansas City, MO - Coordinates: 39.123054, -94.592498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1231&lon=-94.5925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 73395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73395/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA175 ## Probable cause The copilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's delayed decision to perform a go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Copilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The copilot, who was the flying pilot, inadvertently lined up to land on the wrong runway. When approximately one mile from the runway, the copilot decided to change the flight path to line up with the correct runway. The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that when the copilot rolled out on final approach, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline. The copilot began to correct the alignment; however, the airplane continued to drift right. At 10 feet above the runway, the PIC instructed the co-pilot to perform a go-around. The PIC stated that the right wing dropped and the right main tires settled on the runway during the go-around. The copilot reported that the turn onto final approach was normal and that the airplane drifted slightly right of centerline when they crossed the airport boundary. The copilot reported that the winds were gusting out of the east (left side) during the landing. The tower informed the flight crew that there was a white mist coming from their right tip tank. Upon inspection the flight crew noticed fuel leaking from the right wing tip tank. The airplane remained in the traffic pattern and then completed an uneventful landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard portion of the right wing. Local winds reported 11 minutes prior to the accident were from 150 degrees at 6 knots, and 49 minutes after the accident the local winds were reported as being from 160 degrees at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative The co-pilot, who was the flying pilot, inadvertently lined up to land on the wrong runway. When approximately one mile from the runway, the co-pilot decided to change the flight path to line up with the correct runway. The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that when the co-pilot rolled out on final approach, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline. The co-pilot began to correct the alignment, however, the airplane continued to drift right. At 10 feet above the runway, the PIC instructed the co-pilot to perform a go-around. The PIC stated that the right wing dropped and the right main tires settled on the runway during the go-around which was continued. The co-pilot reported the turn onto final approach was normal and the airplane drifted slightly right of centerline when they crossed the airport boundary. The co-pilot reported the winds were gusting out of the east (left side) during the landing. The tower informed the flight crew that there was a white mist coming from their right tip tank. Upon inspection the flight crew noticed fuel leaking from the right wing tip tank. The airplane remained in the traffic pattern and an uneventful landing ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard portion of the right wing. Local winds reported 11 minutes prior to the accident were from 150 degrees at 6 knots, and 49 minutes after the accident the local winds were reported as being from 160 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N465NW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N465NW-2020-02-03), registration cancelled 2020-02-03, S/N 465, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GATES LEARJET CORP. 35A - Registry model: [Gates Learjet 35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-learjet-35a) (registry code 5170602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TFE731 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tfe731-series) (registry code 01518, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 465 - Airframe hours: 18648 - Engines: Garrett 731-2-2B 3500 horsepower turbo fan; Garrett 731-2-2B 3500 horsepower turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Bankair Inc - Registered owner: 465nw LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 2008, 51 hours before - Departed: DAL, Dallas, TX - Destination: MKC, Kansas City, MO - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: MKC, Kansas City - Downtown, runway 19, 7,002 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,880 total, 1,504 in this make and model, 626 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 3,480 total, 280 in this make and model, 2,550 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: MKC ## 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 20090224004379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090224004379A), Feb 24, 2009: Lear 35A, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) The flying pilot (copilot) decided to change landing runways from a final approach position of about 1 mile out for runway 21 to land on runway 19. The… 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.