# NTSB DEN87LA060: Gates Learjet 35A, N888DJ, Englewood, CO, February 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1987, 16:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.580245, -104.859748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5802&lon=-104.8597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE RWY WAS PLOWED APRX 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS TAKEOFF. ONE-HALF INCH OF SNOW STILL REMAINED ALONG THE RWY CENTERLINE WITH UP TO 3 1/2 INCHES ALONG THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN AND CONTINUED APRX 80 FEET OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY INTO ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N888DJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GATES LEARJET 35A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 067
- Airframe hours: 4064
- Engines: GARRETT TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Personal Jet Charter
- Registered owner: Delta Jet Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 1, 1986, 56 hours before
- Departed: APA
- Destination: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 35R, 10,002 × 101 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,653 total, 4,653 in this make and model, 3,853 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA

## 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 19870226004569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870226004569A), Feb 26, 1987: Lear 35A, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway after encountering ice and snow. Pilot failed to properly judge runway condition

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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