# NTSB NYC04LA062: Gates Learjet 35A, N39WA, Akron, OH, January 30, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 30, 2004, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Akron, OH - Coordinates: 40.91611, -81.442222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9161&lon=-81.4422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58694/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA062 ## Probable cause An improperly maintained ramp area, which resulted in a loss of airplane control while taxiing on ice. Factors in this accident were, high winds, and the down-sloping ramp. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - airport facilities,ramp facilities - not maintained (cause) - terrain condition - icy (cause) - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - wall/barricade ## Analysis After landing, the pilot taxied from the runway to the ramp area. After making a turn onto the ramp, the airplane began to slide on top of an ice layer. The brakes were ineffective and the co-pilot shut down the engines; however, due to the downward slope of the ramp area and the wind conditions, the airplane continued to accelerate. The airplane struck a concrete retaining wall, before it came to rest. Examination of the ramp area revealed that it was covered with a 1-inch thick layer of smooth clear ice. The operator of the ramp said that other airplanes had taxied into and out of the ramp without problem prior to, and after the accident. However, sand had been applied to the ramp for the other aircraft, but not the accident airplane. In addition, the winds were lighter at the time the other aircraft were taxiing. The weather at the time of the accident included: wind from 270 degrees at 15 knots, and a temperature of 11 degrees F. ## Factual narrative On January 30, 2004, about 1235 eastern standard time, a Gates Learjet 35A, N39WA, was substantially damaged while taxiing, after landing at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK), Akron Ohio. The certificated airline transport pilot and certificated commercial co-pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at the Toledo Express Airport, Toledo, Ohio. The positioning flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the taxi from the runway to the ramp area was normal. After making a right 90 degree turn onto the ramp from taxiway "E", the airplane began to slide on top of an ice layer. The brakes were ineffective and the co-pilot shut down the engines; however, due to the downward slope of the ramp area and the wind conditions, the airplane continued to accelerate. The airplane then struck a concrete retaining wall, before it came to rest. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined taxiway "E", and the ramp area about 90 minutes after the accident, noted that conditions on taxiway "E" were 85% dry and sanded; however, the ramp area was covered with a 1-inch thick layer of smooth clear ice. Examination of the airplane by the same FAA inspector revealed that the airplane's nose landing gear had separated, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left main gear actuator separated from the spar and had punctured through the keel beam. In addition, the inspector observed a fuel, and a hydraulic fluid leak. The owner of the fixed base operation (FBO) located on the ramp, said that other airplanes had taxied into and out of the ramp without problem prior to, and after the accident. The owner further stated that sand had been applied to the ramp for the other aircraft, but not the accident airplane. In addition, the winds were lighter at the time the other aircraft were taxiing. The reported weather at CAK, at 1239, was: wind from 270 degrees at 15 knots; visibility 9 miles in light snow; few clouds at 1900 feet; scattered at 2700 feet; ceiling overcast at 3400 feet; temperature 11 degrees F; dew point 1 degree F; altimeter 29.84 inches/Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: N39WA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Gates Learjet 35A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 092 - Airframe hours: 18552.9 - Engines: Garrett TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo jet; Garrett TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Tri-Coastal Air - Registered owner: Snowflakes LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 21, 2003, 34.7 hours before - Departed: TOL, TOLEDO, OH - Destination: CAK, Akron, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CAK, Akron-Canton Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total, 2,455 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command - Co-pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,064 total, 2,267 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: CAK ## 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 20040130003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040130003519A), Jan 30, 2004: Lear 35A, Akron, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was on part 91 repositioning flight from another city to begin 135 leg. Aircraft landed on dry runway and taxied on taxiway which was 85% clear… 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.