# NTSB MIA01LA078: Learjet 35A, N394JP, Punta Gorda, FL, February 14, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2001, 04:45 local (09:45 UTC) - Place: Punta Gorda, FL - Coordinates: 26.92, -81.99028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9200&lon=-81.9903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 51731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51731/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA078 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudged the flare resulting in a hard landing, and impact with the runway. A factor in the accident was reduced visibility because of ground fog. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane landed hard on runway 03, blew out the left main landing gear tires and traveled about 4,100 feet down the runway before coming to a stop. According to the pilot he radioed ATC that he had the airport and runway in sight. At 800 feet he lost sight of the runway because of "light fog." He performed a missed approach and stayed in the pattern VFR. On the second approach he was distracted by the fog, but said he did not lose sight of the runway. He said that the co-pilot advised him to go around again but he landed. He said the landing was hard, but did not realize he had a problem until the airplane started pulling to the left. When the airplane came to a stop he got everyone out because of a fuel leak. The 30-minute CVR recording was found to have no data that could contribute to determining the probable cause, and no transcript was prepared. The reported visibility at the time of the accident was 0.25 sm mile with fog. The pilot called the Saint Petersburg flight service station about 2 hours after the accident to report same. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2001, about 0445 eastern standard time, a Learjet 35A, N394JP, owned by Plane 1 Leasing Co. Inc., landed hard at the Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. An IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 medical flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated pilot, commercial-rated co-pilot, and three passengers reported no injuries. The flight had departed from Miami International Airport, Florida, about 0430. The airplane landed hard on runway 03, blew out the left main landing gear tires and traveled about 4,100 feet down the runway before coming to a stop. According to the pilot he radioed ATC that he had the airport and runway in sight. He followed the VOR radial and made an approach. At 800 feet he lost sight of the runway because of "light fog." He performed a missed approach and stayed in the pattern VFR. He performed a second approach visually and said he was distracted by the fog, but did not lose sight of the runway. He said the landing was hard, but did not realize he had a problem until the airplane started pulling to the left. When the airplane came to a stop he got everyone out because of a fuel leak. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for examination. The 30-minute recording was found to have no data that could contribute to determining the probable cause, and no transcript was prepared. The reported visibility at the time of the accident was 0.25 sm mile with fog. The pilot called the Saint Petersburg flight service station about 2 hours after the accident to report same. ## Aircraft - Registration: N394JP (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Learjet 35A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 491 - Airframe hours: 7517 - Engines: Garrett TFE 731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Pervez Khan - Registered owner: Plane 1 Leasing Co. Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 30, 2000, 120 hours before - Departed: MIA, MIAMI, FL - Destination: PGD, PUNTA GORDA, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PGD, Charlotte County, runway 03, 6,580 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 3, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 14,550 total, 700 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 380 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: PGD ## 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 20010214004509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010214004509A), Feb 14, 2001: Lear 35A, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he missed first approach because he lost sight of runway at 800 feet, on the second approach he did not lose the runway but was distracted… 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.