# NTSB CHI90LA172: Learjet LR-24D, N45CP, Benton Harbor, MI, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 02:14 local (06:14 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.10997, -86.440338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1100&lon=-86.4403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA172

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGED APPROACH TO LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT RUNNING OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A RAVINE. THE LATE, DARK NIGHT, IFR CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, HE AND HIS CO-PILOT RETURNED TO BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN TO POSITION THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOT THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27, AND BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 1100 FEET, WITH AN ESTIMATED 6 MILES VISIBILITY. HE REPORTED THAT THE 'HIGH INTENSITY APPROACH LIGHTS WERE ON FULL BRIGHT, DESTROYING MY NIGHT VISION....'HE STATED THAT ONCE THEY PASSED THE APPROACH LIGHTS HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RUNWAY SURFACE, AND THE THE AIRCRAFT 'MUST HAVE FLOATED....'HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CO-PILOT'S STATEMENT CONCURS. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 8,300 HOURS, INCLUDING 2,100 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL, AND 5,000 HOURS OF NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N45CP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Learjet LR-24D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 242
- Airframe hours: 7322
- Engines: GE CJ-610-8A 2950 lbs thrust reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Concrete Pipe & Products Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 30, 1990, 163 hours before
- Departed: SBN, SOUTH BEND, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BEH, Benton Harbor Ross Field, runway 27, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,300 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900715025759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025759A), Jul 15, 1990: Lear 24D, Benton Harbor, MI, Substantial damage. Landed long. Ran off runway. Hit culvert,went over hill into swamp. Said blinded by approach lights.

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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