# NTSB CHI86FA042: Learjet 35A, N15TW, Rochester, MN, December 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1985, 13:39 local (19:39 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, MN
- Coordinates: 44.010334, -92.469673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0103&lon=-92.4697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - directional control - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, dual student (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A SERIES OF PRACTICE APPROACHES TO A FULL STOP. THE TRAINING FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED TO GIVE REFRESHER TRAINING TO THE PILOT WHO HAD NOT FLOWN A LEAR JET IN OVER A YEAR AND HAD NEVER FLOWN A LEAR MODEL 35. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REQUESTED A PRACTICE APPROACH WITH A MISSED APPROACH AND WAS CLEARED FOR THE OPTION. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED RIGHT AND THEN ROLLED LEFT TO AN INVERTED POSITION. COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15TW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Learjet 35A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 106
- Engines: GARRETT TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Corporate Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 21, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: RST, ROCHESTER, MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RST, Rochester Muni, runway 13, 7,533 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,986 total, 238 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RST

## 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 19851208060929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851208060929A), Dec 8, 1985: Lear 35LEAR, Rochester, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft struck the ground during practice IFR approach. Suspect slow airspeed led to a loss of directional control

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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