# NTSB CHI83FA160: Gates Learjet 35A, N3794W, Indianapolis, IN, April 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1983, 23:00 local (Apr 7, 1983, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Location: 39.7054° N, 86.3054° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from INDIANAPOLIS INTL (IND), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7054&lon=-86.3054&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA160

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES ONE MILE FROM THE RUNWAY DURING AN ILS APPROACH TO INDIANAPOLIS INTL AIRPORT AFTER A FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO. THE PILOT SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH AND DIVERTED TO HULMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT, TERRE HAUTE, IN, FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE ACFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. NONE OF THE SIX OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. THE WEATHER AT INDIANAPOLIS AT THE TIME OF THE APPROACH WAS INDEFINITE CEILING 100 FEET OBSCURATION. VISIBILITY 1/8 MILEIN FOG, WIND 250 DEGREES AT 3 KNOTS. THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH IS 984 FEET. FIELD ELEVATION IS 797 FEET MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3794W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GATES LEARJET 35A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35A-454
- Airframe hours: 570
- Engines: GARRETT TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bindley Western Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 17, 1983, 70 hours before
- Departed: ORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IND, Indianapolis Intl, runway 4L, 10,005 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,290 total, 90 in this make and model, 11,200 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 1 nm away

## 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 19830406014499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830406014499A), Apr 6, 1983: Lear 35A, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Struck trees at start of missed approach. Diverted to home airport. All systems checked normal ground and air.

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.

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