# NTSB MIA88LA027: Learjet 35A, N900JE, Clearwater, FL, November 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1987, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9086° N, 82.6865° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ST PETE-CLEARWATER INTL (PIE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9086&lon=-82.6865&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32083
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32083/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA027

## Analysis

DURING TAXI UP TO HANGAR UNDER DIRECTION OF LINEMAN AFTER ARRIVAL THE FLT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND BRAKES. THE PLT COULD NOT ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES PRIOR TO ROLLING INTO THE HANGAR AND COLLIDING WITH TWO ACFT PRIOR TO COMING TO REST. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE SPOILERON CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY SUFFERED FRACTURE OF A NAS1351-4H-24P SCREW DUE TO HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT CRACKING WHICH CAUSED THE SCREW HEAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE SCREW SHANK. THE SCREW IS ONE OF THREE WHICH RETAINS THE SELECTOR VALVE TO THE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY. WHEN THE SCREW FAILED THE VALVE BODY SEPARATED ALLOWING LOSS OF ALL USABLE HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE SOURCE OF THE MIGRATING ELEMENTAL HYDROGEN INTO THE FRACTURE AREA COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VALVE ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE ACFT SINCE MANUFACTURE IN 1977 AND HAD ACCUMULATED 5,642 HOURS. THE VALVE IS MAINTAINED ON CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - from landing
  - flt control syst,boost system - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid,hydraulic - loss,total (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - loss,total (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - not possible (cause)
  - brakes(emergency) - attempted, pilot in command
  - brakes(emergency) - not attained (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Aircraft

- Registration: N900JE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LEARJET 35A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 123
- Airframe hours: 5642
- Engines: GARRETT TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Jack Eckerd Corp.
- Registered owner: Jack Eckerd Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 9, 1987
- Departed: PBI, W. PALM BCH, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PIE, St Petersburg/Clearwater, runway 17L, 7,990 × 150 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--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,700 total, 3,600 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE

## 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 19871104062479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871104062479A), Nov 4, 1987: Lear 35A, St Petersburg-C, FL, Substantial damage. Lost brakes on the ramp while taxiing in. Struck 2 aircraft in hangar. Spoileron bolt broke,leaked hydraulic fluid.

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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