# NTSB LAX98LA105: Learjet 23, N37BL, Oakdale, CA, March 4, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1998, 13:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Oakdale, CA
- Coordinates: 37.799293, -120.740264 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7993&lon=-120.7403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA105

## Probable cause

failure of the flight crew to extend the landing gear before landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Wheels up landing, landing
  - gear extension - not performed, flightcrew (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated in his accident report that there was no crew action to extend the landing gear prior to touchdown.

## Factual narrative

On March 4, 1998, at 1350 hours Pacific standard time, a Learjet 23, N37BL, was substantially damaged when it landed gear up at the Oakdale, California, airport.  The airline transport pilot and check pilot, the sole occupants, were not injured and no property damage occurred.  The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 on a familiarization and training flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated in his report "the landing gear was never extended and the aircraft was landed with the gear retracted."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37BL-2014-12-15), registration cancelled 2014-12-15, S/N 069, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Learjet 23
- Registry model: [Learjet 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-23) (registry code 5170102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE CJ610-SER series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cj610-ser-series) (registry code 30006, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 069
- Airframe hours: 6747
- Engines: GE CJ-610 2950 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pac West Airlines, doing business as Sierra West Airlines
- Registered owner: C.G. Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1998, 2 hours before
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Destination: O27, CA
- Airport: 027, Oakdale, runway 28, 3,020 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,200 total, 20 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19980304002559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980304002559A), Mar 4, 1998: Lear 23LEAR, Oakdale, CA, Substantial damage. Student and CFI failed to extend the landing gear. Landed gear up. (.4)the pilot stated in his accident report that there was no crew action to extend the…

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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