# NTSB CHI92LA289: Learjet LR-60, N602LJ, Hutchinson, KS, September 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1992, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Hutchinson, KS
- Coordinates: 37.650371, -97.569465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6504&lon=-97.5695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA289

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE FLIGHT TEST METHODS BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THE FAA WHICH DID NOT PERMIT SAFE OPERATING CLEARANCES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, approach
  - procedures/directives - inadequate, manufacturer (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, faa(organization) (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS ENGAGED IN A TEST FLIGHT THAT INVOLVED AN INTENTIONAL INDUCED AUTOPILOT MALFUNCTION AT 80 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY SURFACE. THE CREW IS REQUIRED TO DELAY RECOVERY FOR 2.0 SECONDS AND THEN RECOVER FROM THE MALFUNCTION. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A HARD LANDING DURING THE ATTEMPTED RECOVERY RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE. THE MALFUNCTION INPUT WAS MADE BY AN AVIONICS ENGINEER IN THE AFT CABIN WHO DID NOT HAVE A READOUT OF RADAR ALTITUDE. THE COMPANY AND THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION HAVE MODIFIED THEIR FLIGHT TEST GUIDANCE FOR LOW ALTITUDE INTENTIONAL MALFUNCTIONS SINCE THIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N602LJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LEARJET LR-60
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60-002
- Airframe hours: 206
- Engines: P&W PW305 4600 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Learjet Inc., doing business as Learjet
- Registered owner: Learjet Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 2000, 206 hours before
- Departed: ICT, WICHITA, KS
- Airport: KHUT, Hutchinson, runway 13, 7,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,150 total, 153 in this make and model, 5,726 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19920924039219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920924039219A), Sep 24, 1992: Lear 60LEAR, Hutchinson, KS, Substantial damage. Hard landing on test flight. Went around and landed. Buckled wing and fuselage. Autopilot test altitude too low.

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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