# NTSB MIA85FA029: Gates Learjet 24F, N81MC, St. Thomas, November 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1984, 19:06 local (23:06 UTC)
- Place: St. Thomas
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA029

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - , pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 9 IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALLOWED TO DESCEND; CRASHING INTO WATER 2 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT AND FAILED TO MAKE USE OF A FULL INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM AND VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATING SYSTEM WHICH WERE OPERATIONAL FOR RUN-WAY 9 AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT WHICH ATTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A RADAR ALTIMETER SYSTEM WHICH ALSO WAS NOT USED BY THE PLT. THE PLT PERFORMED TWO MISSED APPROACHES BECAUSE THE ARPT WAS NOT IN SIGHT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE 3RD ATTEMPT.NEITHER THE PIC NOR THE CO-PLT WERE PROPERLY CERTIFICATED FOR THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81MC-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 344 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Gates Learjet 24F
- Registry model: [Gates Lear Jet 24F](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-lear-jet-24f) (registry code 5170317) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 344
- Airframe hours: 2643
- Engines: GE CJ-610-6 2950 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lisle Aircraft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 5, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: FLL, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: STT, Harry S. Truman, runway 9, 5,358 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,190 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STT, 2 nm away

## 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 19841110061269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841110061269A), Nov 10, 1984: Lear 24F, Charlotte Amali, U.S. Virgin Islands, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Windshield fogged due to inoperative windshield heat. Failed to check actitude on night approach. Flew into water.

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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