# NTSB DCA84AA016: Learjet 24, N44GA, Avalon, CA, January 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1984, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.379215, -118.449821 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3792&lon=-118.4498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA84AA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA84AA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, other person (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - airport fire/rescue service - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED ON A SALES DEMO FLT TO MONTEREY, CA WITH POTENTIAL BUYERS ABOARD. EN ROUTE, THE DESTINATION WAS CHANGED TO AVALON, CA. UNICOM ADVISED THE CREW OF THE WIND DIRECTION & SPEED ON DOWNWIND. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT WAS SLIGHTLY HI ON FINAL, BUT SAID THE PLT CORRECTED THE ANGLE OF DESCENT. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN APRX 500' DOWN THE RWY, WHICH WAS CROWNED (SLOPED UPWARD FOR APRX THE 1ST 2000', THEN LEVELED OFF). THE CREW COULD NOT SEE THE END OF THE RWY AT TOUCHDOWN. THE THRUST REVERSERS WERE DEPLOYED APRX 1000' AFTER TOUCHDOWN. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENG SOUND INCREASE,THEN DECREASE, THEN INCREASE AGAIN AS THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RWY & OVER A 90' BLUFF. FIRE ERUPTED IMMEDIATELY. WITHIN 3 MIN, ARPT PSNL ARRIVED WITH FIREFIGHTING EQUIP, BUT THEY WERE NOT TRAINED AS FIREFIGHTERS & DID NOT TRY TO STOP THE FIREFOR FEAR OF AN EXPLOSION. NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. FOUND L FLAP EXTENDED, L SPOILER RETRACTED & LOCKED, TIRE MARKS ON RWY. ESTIMATED GROSS WT: 11,500 LBS. COMPUTED LANDING DIST OVER A 50' OBSTCL: 3100'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44GA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Learjet 24
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 129
- Airframe hours: 3306
- Engines: GE CJ610-4 2850 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Business Flights
- Registered owner: Gee Bee Aero, Inc
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 8, 1900, 66 hours before
- Departed: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Destination: AVX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AVX, Catalina, runway 22, 3,240 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVX

## 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 19840130054369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840130054369A), Jan 30, 1984: Lear STC24LEAR, Avalon, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Landed long and fast on short runway. Traveled off end of runway and off 90 foot bluff. Light tailwind.

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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