# NTSB FTW86FA025: Gates Learjet 35A, N723GL, College Station, TX, December 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1985, 19:21 local (Dec 13, 1985, 01:21 UTC)
- Place: College Station, TX
- Location: 30.5880° N, 96.3625° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at EASTERWOOD FLD (CLL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5880&lon=-96.3625&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 86-04-02 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - compressor assembly,forward fan - fatigue (cause)
  - compressor assembly,forward fan - failure,total (cause)
  - compressor assembly,forward fan - separation (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED AFTER A CATASTROPHIC (UNCONTAINED) FAILURE OF THE RT ENG DURING TAKEOFF FOR A NIGHT FLT. THE RT ENG FAN ROTOR DISC SEPARATED FROM THE HUB WHICH DAMAGED THE COWLING AND SOME DISC FRAGMENTS BURIED IN THE FUSELAGE BUT WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE FLT CONTROLS. THE DRAG CREATED BY THE LOSS OF THRUST AND THE DISTORTED COWLING LED TO YAW AND ROLL WITH LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE FAN FAILURE PROPAGATED FROM A LOW GRADE FATIGUE CRACK ON THE HIGH TIME FAN WHICH WAS NOT DETECTED BY THE VISUAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES EXISTING AT THE TIME. THE MAUNUFACTURER HAS SINCE IMPROVED THE MANUFACTURING AND INSPECTION TECHNIQUES. AN AD 86-04-02 WAS ISSUED ON 2/14/86 WHICH DEALS WITH FAN REMOVAL FROM SERVICE ACCORDING TO AN OPERATING CYCLE SCHEDULE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N723GL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N723GL-1989-03-04), registration cancelled 1989-03-04, S/N 107 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GATES LEARJET 35A
- Registry model: [Gates Learjet 35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-learjet-35a) (registry code 5170602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35-107
- Airframe hours: 8963
- Engines: Garrett TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: General Telephone Co. S.W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 5, 1985, 121 hours before
- Destination: HOU, HOUSTIN, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CLL, Easterwood, runway 28, 5,161 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 260 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL

## 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 19851212061709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851212061709A), Dec 12, 1985: Lear 35A, College Station, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Right engine exploded on liftoff. Aircraft rolled to right tearing off right wing. PIC was in the right seat.

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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