# NTSB CEN12CA017: Learjet 60, N64MG, Lafayette, IN, October 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2011, 23:00 local (Oct 12, 2011, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Lafayette, IN - Coordinates: 40.412223, -86.936943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4122&lon=-86.9369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 82061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82061/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82061 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to taxi the airplane across an unpaved area after the nosewheel inadvertently departed the ramp pavement. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was taxiing from the ramp area with the taxi lights on. He said that the edge of the ramp was not marked, and before he could complete a turn, the nosewheel departed the pavement. He attempted to taxi across the grass area to the parallel taxiway about 50 feet from the ramp. However, the airplane struck a drainage ditch located between the ramp and the taxiway, which caused substantial damage to the delta fins on the underside of the aft fuselage. The pilot said that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. He said that the ramp was poorly illuminated and the high overcast clouds combined to create "very dark" lighting conditions. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was attempting to taxi from the ramp area when the accident occurred. He reported that the airplane taxi lights were on; however, the edge of the ramp was not marked and before he could complete a turn, the nose wheel departed the pavement. He noted that the grass area between the ramp and parallel taxiway appeared to be level and suitable for crossing. After assessing the situation, he attempted to taxi across the grass area to the parallel taxiway about 50 feet from the ramp. However, the airplane encountered a drainage ditch located between the ramp and the taxiway, which caused substantial damage to the delta fins on the underside of the aft fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. He commented that the ramp was poorly illuminated and the high overcast clouds combined to create "very dark" lighting conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: N64MG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: LEARJET INC 60 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 224 - Airframe hours: 3065 - Engines: P&W CANADA 305 SERIES 5200 horsepower turbo fan; P&W CANADA 305 SERIES 5200 horsepower turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: Mercer Air LLC - Registered owner: Mercer Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 2011 - Departed: LAF, Lafayette, IN - Destination: BFI, Seattle, WA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LAF, Purdue University, runway 10, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 14,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 44; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 9,153 total, 1,639 in this make and model, 6,810 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: LAF ## 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 20111011023189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111011023189A), Oct 11, 2011: Learjet Inc 60, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. On October 11, 2011, at approximately 23:00 hours, a LR-60, N64MG, was attempting to taxi from the ramp of Lafayette aviation to runway 10 at the Purdue… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82061. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 923 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Co-Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Co-Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Conversation Record -- Airport Manager (item 4, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Airport%20Manager-Master.PDF - Airport Diagram -- Lafayette/Purdue University (LAF) (item 5, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram%20--%20Lafayette%2FPurdue%20University%20(LAF)-Master.PDF 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.