# NTSB MKC84LA043: Gates Learjet 25, N242AG, Kansas City, KS, December 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1983, 02:14 local (08:14 UTC)
- Place: Kansas City, KS
- Coordinates: 39.149078, -94.609802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1491&lon=-94.6098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - control tower - not operating
  - airport snow removal - not identified
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - pressure excessive
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ON A SNOW COVERED RWY AT NIGHT THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY & WAS DAMAGED. AT THAT TIME, THE RWY WAS COVERED WITH A THIN LAYER OF DRY SNOW OVER THE TOP OF HARD PACKED SNOW. A 50 FT STRIP HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PLOWED ALONG THE 150 FT WIDE RWY. HOWEVER, THE TOWER WAS CLOSED & NO SNOW REMOVAL WAS PERMITTED AFTER 2400 CST. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE OIL PRESSURE AFTER STARTING IN COLD WX. AS HE APPLIED TAKEOFF POWER, HE GLANCED AT THE ENG INSTRUMENTS, OIL PRESSURE & TEMP IN PARTICULAR. HE STATED THAT HE 'HAD JUST GONE VISUALLY OUTSIDE' WHEN THE COPILOT SAID 'WATCH YOURSELF.' AT THAT POINT, THE ACFT WAS ANGLING TO THE LEFT. THE PLT KEPT THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING ENGAGED & APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN RWY ALIGNMENT. HE REPORTED THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS IN 3 INCHES OF SNOW WHILE THE RIGHT GEAR WAS IN 1 INCH OF SNOW AND THIS INCREASED DRAG TO THE LEFT. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT IMPROPER SNOW REMOVAL WAS THE 'SOLE REASON.' OTHER ACFT LANDED & DEPARTED WITHOUT MAJOR DIFFICULTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N242AG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GATES LEARJET 25
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 025
- Airframe hours: 9131
- Engines: GE CJ6110-6 2960 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Central Air Charter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ges R&D Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 14, 1983, 85 hours before
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KCK, Fairfax Municipal, runway 17, 7,301 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,919 total, 1,900 in this make and model, 4,650 as pilot in command, 380 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 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 19831221063009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831221063009A), Dec 21, 1983: Lear 25, Kansas City, KS, Substantial damage. Jet aircraft ran off left side of runway during takeoff and hit a snowdrift.

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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