# NTSB FTW82FPD14: Learjet 23, N5DM, Abilene, TX, June 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1982, 18:32 local (Jun 12, 1982, 00:32 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Location: 32.4487° N, 99.7331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abilene, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4487&lon=-99.7331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPD14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPD14

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command
  - wing,winglet - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - wing,winglet - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT INITIATED A HIGH SPEED LOW PASS OVER THE AIRPORT. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 1000 FT FROM THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE RICHT WINGLET SEPARATED. A WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S SPEED WAS ABOUT 200 MPH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE ROLLED INVERTED AND CRASHED. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE WINGLET WAS NOT INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE TO THE DESIGNER'S PLANS. SPECIFICALLY, THE PLANS CALLED FOR AN 8-PLY FIBERGLASS BUILD-UP ON THE OUTSIDE RADIUS FROM THE LOWER WING TO THE OUTSIDE SURFACE OF THE WINGLET. THIS BUILD-UP WAS NOT INCORPORTED. THE DESIGNER ESTIMATED THAT IT HAD LESS THAN 1/20 OF THE DESIGN STRENGTH. AT HIGH SPEED, WITH ZERO SIDE SLIP, THERE IS AN INWARD AERODYNAMIC (BENDING) LOAD ON THE WINGLET THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO A 15 DEG SIDE SLIP AT LOW SPEED. THIS WINGLET HAD FAILED INWARD. ALSO, A NUMBER OF OTHER DEVIATIONS FROM THE DESIGNERS PLANS WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5DM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LEARJET 23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-028
- Airframe hours: 5164
- Engines: GE CJ610 2850 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald L. Mccoy
- Registered owner: Donald L. Mccoy
- Departed: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: ABI, ABILENE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Abilene, runway 35, 7,199 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,808 total, 2,675 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 158 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820611021829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820611021829A), Jun 11, 1982: Lear 23LEAR, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Hydraulic line ruptured, blew gear down. Hydroplaned on wet runway, blew all four tires, ran off end of runway.

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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