# NTSB ERA20CA120: Learjet 35, N721EC, Altoona, PA, February 29, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 29, 2020, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Altoona, PA
- Coordinates: 40.29639, -78.319999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2964&lon=-78.3200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/ FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101041/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101041
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA120

## Probable cause

The pilot flying's improper lateral bank control during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left-wing tip tank striking the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5170802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=5170802), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5170802), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5170802), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5170802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5170802), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight crew reported that, after an instrument landing system approach and during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a strong wind gust that pushed the airplane toward the edge of the runway, so they initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the left-wing tip tank struck the runway. The flight crew diverted to another airport where the weather conditions were more favorable, and after landing, examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing had sustained substantial damage. The calculated crosswind component was 18 knots at the time of landing. According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 24.7 knots.

## Factual narrative

The flight crew reported that after an instrument landing system approach, during the landing flare the airplane encountered a strong wind gust and a go-around was initiated. During the go-around, the left tip tank struck the runway causing substantial damage to the left wing. The flight crew diverted to another airport where the weather conditions were more favorable, and upon landing, the damage to the left wing was discovered.About the time of the accident, the airport weather observation included wind from a heading of 300° at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The calculated crosswind component was 18 knots. According to the airplane flight manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 24.7 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N721EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N721EC), registered now, S/N 355, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Learjet 35 (A)
- Registry model: [Learjet 35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-35a) (registry code 5170802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TFE731 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tfe731-series) (registry code 01518, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 355
- Year built: 1980
- Airframe hours: 14859
- Engines: Honeywell TFE731-2C-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan; Honeywell TFE731-2C-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: East Coast Jets Inc
- Registered owner: East Coast Jets Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 22, 2019
- Departed: ABE, Allentown, PA
- Destination: AOO, Altoona, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AOO, Altoona-Blair County, runway 21, 5,465 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 11, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,240 total, 1,750 in this make and model, 5,495 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 33,000 total, 3,750 in this make and model, 26,210 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: AOO

## 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 20200229022279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200229022279A), Feb 29, 2020: Learjet Inc 35A, Martinsburg, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed (abe) airport allentown, PA. En-route to Altoona Pa. (Aoo). Pilot was on the ILS runway 21. Pilot broke out in VFR conditions and was in the…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101041. 5.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 292 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF
- Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF
- Lear 35A Flight Manual_Crosswind Information (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Lear%2035A%20Flight%20Manual_Crosswind%20Information-Master.PDF

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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