# NTSB GAA15CA163: Gates Learjet 35A, N640BA, Grosse Ile, MI, June 22, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 22, 2015, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Grosse Ile, MI
- Coordinates: 42.096389, -83.160003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0964&lon=-83.1600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91512/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91512
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA163

## Probable cause

The airplane's collision with a deer on the unfenced runway during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident is the airport's failure to establish a continuous fence between the runway and the nature conservancy.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)
- [Resources: adequacy of facilities](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022035): Organizational issues › Management · Airport (probable cause); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022035/cases.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04022035/cases.md)
- [Airport facilities/design: security](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017080): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017080/cases.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017080/cases.md)
- [Organizational issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04020000): Organizational issues › Management · Other government ; cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04020000/cases.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04020000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Gates Learjet 35A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5170602), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, while accelerating through 130 knots, a "faint bump" was felt. The flight crew continued the takeoff and experienced difficulty controlling the airplane, but were able to stabilize the airplane in flight. The flight crew reported that there were no annunciations or warnings on the flight deck, but they were able to identify damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The flight crew diverted to an alternate airport and landed without incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Following the accident, a deer was found on the runway at the departure airport. The departure airport perimeter is partially fenced and co-exists on an island with a nature conservancy. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation prior to hitting the deer.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, while accelerating through 130 knots, a "faint bump" was felt. The flight crew continued the takeoff and experienced difficulty controlling the airplane, but were able to stabilize the airplane in flight. The flight crew reported that there were no annunciations or warnings on the flight deck, but they were able to identify damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The flight crew diverted to an alternate airport and landed without incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Following the accident, a deer was found on the runway at the departure airport. The departure airport perimeter is partially fenced and co-exists on an island with a nature conservancy. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation prior to hitting the deer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N640BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N640BA-2016-10-14), registration cancelled 2016-10-14, S/N 664 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GATES LEARJET CORP. 35A
- Registry model: [Gates Learjet 35A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-learjet-35a) (registry code 5170602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 664
- Year built: 1991
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: Honeywell/Garrett TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan; Honeywell/Garrett TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Beta Aire Ltd
- Registered owner: Beta Aire Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ONZ, Grosse Ile, MI
- Destination: MDW, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ONZ, Grosse Ile Muni, runway 22, 4,846 × 100 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Airframe parachute, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 62; injuries: none; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 20,000 total, 0 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KONZ

## 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 20150622008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150622008699A), Jun 22, 2015: Gates Learjet Corp. 35A, Grosse Ile, MI, Substantial damage. During takeoff at vr 130 knots aircraft struck deer with leading edge of right wing forward of aileron. Crew reported slight bump just before rotation but did…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91512. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – Right wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 401 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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