# NTSB CHI85FA344: Learjet 23, N61TS, Madison, WI, August 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1985, 01:15 local (06:15 UTC)
- Place: Madison, WI
- Coordinates: 43.140705, -89.349601 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1407&lon=-89.3496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA344

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft performance,hydroplaning condition - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - buckled (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - buckled (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF WITH A HEAVY LOADED ACFT ON THE SHORT RWY. THE PLT STATED A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AS THE ACFT APPROACHED 80 KTS. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AT 100 KTS. HYDROPLANING WAS EXPERIENCED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY WERE THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACFT CAME TO REST WITH THE NOSE IN A WATER FILLED DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61TS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61TS-1996-02-01), registration cancelled 1996-02-01, S/N 23029 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Learjet 23
- Registry model: [Learjet 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-23) (registry code 5170102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-029
- Airframe hours: 7227
- Engines: GE CJ-610-4 2850 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Connie Kalitta Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 12, 1985, 79 hours before
- Destination: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: M5N, Dane County Regional, runway 31, 5,846 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN

## 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 19850813056319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850813056319A), Aug 13, 1985: Lear 23LEAR, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff after noise in cockpit. Ran off runway end, struck berm and ditch. Flat spot on one main tire.

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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