# NTSB SEA03LA010: Learjet 36A, N546PA, Astoria, OR, December 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 2002, 06:12 local (14:12 UTC) - Place: Astoria, OR - Coordinates: 46.158054, -123.878608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1581&lon=-123.8786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56152 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56152/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA010 ## Probable cause Collision with an elk during the takeoff roll. Factors include dark night VFR conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - object - animal(s) (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - airport facilities,perimeter fence - not installed (contributing factor) - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis The pilot (PIC) reported that during acceleration for takeoff (approximately V1 [takeoff decision speed]) the airplane collided with an elk. The PIC reported that after the collision, he applied wheel brakes and deployed the airplane's drag chute, however, the airplane continued off the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest in a marshy bog approximately 50 feet beyond the departure threshold. Currently, approximately 15,000 feet of the airport's perimeter is bordered with animal control fence. The airport recently received a FAA Aviation Improvement Program (AIP) Grant that will provide funding for an additional 9,000-feet of fence. Airport officials stated that the fencing project should be completed by summer of 2003. At the completion of the project, game control fencing will encompass the entire airport perimeter. The U.S. Government Airport/Facilities Directory (A/FD) contains the following remarks for the Astoria Regional Airport: "Herds of elk on and in the vicinity of airport..." ## Factual narrative On December 3, 2002, at 0612 Pacific standard time, a Gates Learjet 36A, N546PA, was destroyed after colliding with an elk, and subsequent runway overrun, at the Astoria Regional Airport, Astoria, Oregon. The airplane is registered to C F F Air, Incorporated, Wilmington, Delaware, and was being operated in support of a Canadian Armed Forces training exercise under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The two pilots and two support personnel aboard the aircraft were not injured. The accident occurred approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes before sunrise under visual meteorological conditions. Impact forces and post crash fire destroyed the airplane. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on December 3, the pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that during acceleration for takeoff (approximately V1 [takeoff decision speed]) the airplane collided with an elk (the left wing was the initial impact point). The PIC reported that after the collision, he applied wheel brakes and deployed the airplane's drag chute, however, the airplane continued off the departure end of the runway 08. The airplane came to rest in a marshy bog approximately 180 feet beyond the departure threshold. The pilot (PIC) reported that he was aware of elk in the vicinity of the airport, but observed none prior to the departure roll on the morning of the accident. Additionally, he stated that prior to takeoff he taxied the aircraft northbound on runway 30 to the intersection of runway 30/08, shined the aircraft lights down the remainder of runway 08, and then back taxied on runway 08. No elk were sighted. Currently, approximately 15,000 feet of the airport's perimeter is bordered with animal control fence. The airport recently received a FAA Aviation Improvement Program (AIP) Grant that will provide funding for an additional 9,000-feet of fence. Airport officials stated that the fencing project should be completed by summer of 2003. At the completion of the project, game control fencing will encompass the entire airport perimeter. The U.S. Government Airport/Facilities Directory (A/FD) contains the following remarks for the Astoria Regional Airport: "Herds of elk on and in the vicinity of airport..." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N546PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N546PA-2003-06-24), registration cancelled 2003-06-24, S/N 045, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Learjet 36A - Registry model: [Gates Lear Jet 36A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gates-lear-jet-36a) (registry code 5170603) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [AiResearch TFE731 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tfe731-series) (registry code 01518, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36A-045 - Airframe hours: 12335.3 - Engines: Garrett TFE-731 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan; Garrett TFE-731 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Phoenix Air - Registered owner: CFF Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, November 26, 2002, 8.5 hours before - Departed: KAST, Astoria, WA - Destination: KAST, Astoria, WA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: AST, Astoria Regional, runway 08, 5,796 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; 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 June 28, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 3,350 total, 2,350 in this make and model, 1,831 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 10, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 1,170 total, 920 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KAST ## 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 20021203033119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021203033119A), Dec 3, 2002: Lear 36A, Astoria, OR, Destroyed. (-23) On Tuesday dec 3, 2002 at 0612 am, Lear jet N546PA departed Astoria, OR airport on an IFR flight under part 91. The airport was VFR with a 3500 foot… 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.