# NTSB LAX01TA204: Gates Learjet LR-24A, N805NA, Victorville, CA, June 7, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: June 7, 2001, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Victorville, CA - Coordinates: 34.569576, -117.330047 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5696&lon=-117.3300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52441 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01TA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52441/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01TA204 ## Probable cause The copilot inadvertently induced a lateral oscillation resulting in an in-flight loss of control. The pilot-in-command failed to adequately surpervise the copilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - wing,wingtip - separation - landing gear - collapsed ## Analysis The copilot inadvertently induced a lateral oscillation and lost control of the airplane while practicing touch-and-go landings. The pilot made the first touch-and-go. The copilot successfully made the second touch-and-go. The copilot attempted the third touch-and-go. At 50 feet, he disengaged the yaw damper and entered a pilot induced lateral oscillation. The airplane rapidly decelerated and developed a high sink rate. The airplane dragged the right tip fuel tank, which separated from the airplane, and the airplane bounced back into the air. The airplane landed hard, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop off the right side of the runway. Both pilots and the passenger deplaned through the main entry door. The pilot-in-command had not demonstrated the handling characteristics of the airplane with the yaw damper off, and he felt he did not react quickly enough to prevent the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2001, about 1140 hours Pacific daylight time, a Gates Learjet LR-24A, N805NA, made a hard landing at Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, California. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was operating the airplane as a public-use flight. The airline transport pilot captain, copilot, and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local training flight departed Edwards Air Force Base, California, about 1055. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written statement outlining the following history of flight. After completing local air work, the flight proceeded to Victorville to practice touch-and-go landings. The pilot made the first touch-and-go. The copilot successfully made the second touch-and-go. The copilot attempted the third touch-and-go. At 50 feet, he disengaged the yaw damper and entered a pilot induced lateral oscillation. The airplane rapidly decelerated and developed a high sink rate. The airplane dragged the right wing tip fuel tank, which separated from the airplane, and the airplane bounced back into the air. The airplane landed hard, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop off the right side of the runway. Both pilots and the passenger deplaned through the main entry door. The pilot-in-command stated that he had not demonstrated the handling characteristics of the airplane with the yaw damper off. He felt he did not react quickly enough to prevent the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N805NA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N805NA-2001-09-18), registration cancelled 2001-09-18, S/N 102 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gates Learjet LR-24A - Registry model: [Learjet 24A](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-24a) (registry code 5170304) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-102 - Airframe hours: 10679 - Engines: GE CJ610-6 2950 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2001, 4 hours before - Departed: EDW, Edwards, CA - Destination: VCV, Victorville, CA - Airport: VCV, Souther California Logistics, runway 21, 9,138 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 8,550 total, 40 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review November 18, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 1,800 total, 10 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KVCV ## 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 20010607010869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010607010869A), Jun 7, 2001: Lear 24A, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On June 7, 2001, about 1140 hours pacific daylight time, a gates Learjet 24A, N805NA, sustained substantial damage when it made a hard landing at southern… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.