# NTSB DEN04LA138: Gates Learjet 25B, N47MR, Colorado Spring, CO, September 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 2004, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Colorado Spring, CO - Coordinates: 38.805, -104.699996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8050&lon=-104.7000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Denver Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 60081 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60081/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA138 ## Probable cause right main tire failure for reasons undetermined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause) ## Analysis According to the operator, during the takeoff roll, the airplane began to vibrate on the right side and then the right tire blew. The left tire blew shortly thereafter. In a statement made by the co-pilot, the "captain maintained directional control" and the drag chute was deployed. The airplane came to rest at the departure end of the runway. A postaccident investigation revealed substantial damage. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 2004, at approximately 1350 mountain daylight time, a Gates Learjet 25B, N47MR, operated by American Jets, Inc., was substantially damaged when both tires blew during the takeoff roll from City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The lifeguard flight was being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan, under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135. The pilot, co-pilot, two crew members and a passenger reported no injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Memphis, Tennessee. According to the accident report submitted by the operator, during the takeoff roll, the airplane began to vibrate on the right side and then the right tire blew. The left tire blew shortly thereafter. In a statement made by the co-pilot, the "captain maintained directional control" and the drag chute was deployed. The airplane came to rest at the departure end of runway 17L. A postaccident investigation revealed that metal from the landing gear penetrated the wings and the fuselage was wrinkled. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The reason for the tire failure was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47MR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47MR-2009-07-08), registration cancelled 2009-07-08, S/N 101, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gates Learjet 25B - Registry model: [Gates Lear Jet 25B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-lear-jet-25b) (registry code 5170511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CJ610-SER series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cj610-ser-series) (registry code 30006, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 101 - Engines: General Electric CJ-610-6 2950 lbs thrust turbo jet; General Electric CJ-610-6 2950 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: American Jets, Inc. - Registered owner: American Aircraft Sales - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, August 2, 2004, 75.9 hours before - Departed: COS, Colorado Spring, CO - Destination: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: COS, City Of Colorado Springs Muni, runway 17L, 13,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21,744 total, 4,506 in this make and model, 18,727 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 16, 2004; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,750 total, 930 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: COS, 1 nm away ## 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 20040904022989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040904022989A), Sep 4, 2004: Lear 25B, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On sept. 4, 2004, at Colorado Springs airport, Colorado, two crew and one passenger (life guard flight) were taking off in a Lear 25B on runway 17L when… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.