# NTSB CEN21LA136: Learjet 55, N559RA, Jeffersonville, IN, February 19, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 18, 2021, 19:05 local (Feb 19, 2021, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Jeffersonville, IN - Coordinates: 38.366618, -85.738145 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3666&lon=-85.7381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Wrong surface or wrong airport](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102668 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102668/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102668 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA136 ## Probable cause The flight crew’s failure to verify the correct runway for landing, which resulted in a landing on a snow contaminated runway and resulting damage to the airplane. The illumination of the lights associated with the closed runway contributed to the accident. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 55C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=5170706), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Gates Learjet 55C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=5170706), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017015): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Gates Learjet 55C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017015/cases.md?model=5170706), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Wrong surface or wrong airport](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284) (defining event); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 55C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284/sequence.md?model=5170706), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/284/sequence.md) ## Analysis Both pilots reported that, as they approached the airport, they saw runway lights and set up for a visual approach to that runway. They believed the runway they saw was runway 36, but it was in fact runway 32, which had been closed due to snow. A notice to airman had been published to that effect. In addition, the airport’s automated weather observing system recording was appended with the runway closure information. The pilots continued the approach and landed on runway 32. The airplane struck a snow berm at the edge of the intersection with runway 36, the landing gear broke from the airplane, and the airplane slid to a stop. The lower fuselage, wings and ventral strakes sustained substantial damage. Runway 32 was closed due to a large amount of snow that was in the process of being cleared. About 4 inches of snow remained. The runway lights were on at the time of the accident to aid the snowplow operators in determining the location of the runway edge; however, there were no plows on runway 32 at the time of the accident. The lights for runway 36 may not have been visible due to the snow berms along the runway edge obstructing their view from the side. Based on the available information, the flight crew inadvertently selected the wrong runway for landing and did not identify the error because they failed to compare the intended runway heading with the final approach course. Contributing to the accident was the fact that the runway 32 lights were left on. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2021, about 1905 central standard time, a Gates Learjet 55, N559RA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jeffersonville, Indiana. The captain and first officer were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand cargo flight. The Royal Air Cargo flight, was being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Southwest Florida International Airport, Fort Myers, Florida, to Clark Regional Airport (JVY), Jeffersonville, Indiana. The airplane sustained damage to the landing gear, lower fuselage, wings and ventral strakes. According to the airplane manufacturer the strakes are critical for aerodynamic stability and would adversely affect the flying characteristics of the airplane. The captain reported that the takeoff, climb, and en route portions of the flight were normal, with the first officer acting as the pilot flying. As they approached the destination, he and the first officer briefed and set up for the instrument landing system approach (ILS) to runway 18, expecting to break out of the overcast cloud layer and execute a visual approach to runway 36 due to more favorable winds. Upon exiting the overcast, he activated the airport’s pilot-controlled lighting system and the first officer saw the runway. Both pilots stated that they believed the runway that they saw was runway 36. They maneuvered the airplane visually toward the runway that was in-sight and executed a landing. The captain stated that, upon touchdown, it became clear that they had inadvertently landed on runway 32. In his report, the captain said that both he and the first officer were aware that runway 14-32 was closed. The first officer stated that while flying to JVY they activated the pilot-controlled lighting and saw a runway light up. They visually lined up and landed on the runway that they saw and believed to be runway 36; however, it was actually runway 32. Both pilots reported that the only runway lights that they saw during the approach were the lights on runway 32, and there were no visible indications that the runway they approached was closed. Both pilots also stated that, during the visual approach, they did not verify that the final approach course was aligned with the intended runway. The airport manager confirmed that runway 32 was closed and that a notice to airmen (NOTAM) had been issued to that effect. In addition, the Automated Weather Observing System recording, available to the pilots via the aircraft communication radio, was appended with the runway closure information. The runway was closed due to the large amount of snow that they had received. About 4 inches of snow that had yet to be cleared from the runway. The airport manager noted that the runway lights were on due to the snowplow operations as an aid in determining the location of the runway edge. There were no plow trucks on runway 32 at the time of the accident because they had stopped fora dinner break, but he confirmed that the runway lights were left on during this time. He noted that, depending on the direction the airplane was coming from, the lights for runway 36 may not have been visible due to the snow berms along the runway edge obstructing their view from the side. Information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a NOTAM referencing the closure of runway 14/32 was in effect at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N559RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N559RA-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N 146, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LEARJET 55 (C) - Registry model: [Gates Learjet 55C](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-learjet-55c) (registry code 5170706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Honeywell TFE-731-SER series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/honeywell-tfe-731-ser-series) (registry code 33902, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 146 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 12266 - Engines: HONEYWELL TFE-731 3750 lbs thrust turbo fan; HONEYWELL TFE-731 3750 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 135 - Operator: Royal Air Freight Inc - Registered owner: Royal Air Freight Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 6, 2020 - Departed: RSW, Fort Myers, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: JVY, Clark Rgnl, runway 14/32, 3,899 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 18,800 total, 3,696 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 9, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,925 total, 1,136 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 121 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KLOU, 9 nm away - METAR: KLOU 190026Z 33003KT 10SM BKN024 OVC040 M01/M07 A3026 RMK AO2 T10111072 ## 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 20210218001419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210218001419A), Feb 18, 2021: Gates Learjet Corp 55C, Sellersburg, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft was inbound to jvy from fort myer, FL. The crew stated that prior to departure they had received the NOTAM stating that jvy runway 32 was closed.… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102668. 98.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12523780&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 50.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12524030&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - First officer statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 43.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12523973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=First%20officer%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12524749&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (airport manager) (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12524040&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Airport%20Manager-Rel.pdf - Runway closure NOTAM (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12523983&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Runway%20closure%20NOTAM-Rel.pdf - E-mail from operator (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12671824&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=eMAIL%20FROM%20OPERATOR_Redacted-Rel.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.