# NTSB SEA83FA121: Learjet 35, N1976L, Seattle, WA, June 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1983, 07:07 local (14:07 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.539466, -122.309875 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5395&lon=-122.3099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,passenger - open (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DRAGGED THE RIGHT WING TIP TANK AND RUPTURED IT AFTER THE PASSENGER DOOR OPENED DURING TAKEOFF. DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF THE ACFT OSCILLATED RIGHT, LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE MAKING GROUND CONTACT ON THE RIGHT WING. THE HIGHEST ALT ATTAINED WAS ABOUT 100 FT AGL. BEFORE TAKEOFF A PUROLATOR CARGO HANDLER INTERRUPTED THE CAPTAIN CLOSING THE DOOR TO GIVE HIM A PACKAGE. THE CAPT WENT TO SECURE THIS PACKAGE AND THE CARGO HANDLER CLOSED THE DOOR. AFTER THE CAPT WAS IN HIS SEAT HE AND THE CO-PILOT FAILED TO NOTE THE RED DOOR WARNING LIGHT MENTALLY REGARDING IT AS A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL WARNING EVEN THOUGH THESE LIGHTS ARE SEPARATED BY 3 OTHER LIGHTS. DURING THE TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 110 KTS THE DOOR OPENED AND THE ABORT COMMENCED. THE CARGO HANDLER WAS INTERVIEWED AND ADMITTED CLOSING THE DOOR BUT SAID HE NEVER LATCHED THE DOOR SINCE IT REQUIRES A KEY TO ACTIVATE IT. THIS WAS ALWAYS DONE BY THE CREW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1976L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LEARJET 35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 053
- Airframe hours: 3714
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TFE-731-2-2B 3500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Global Jet
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 12, 1983, 33 hours before
- Destination: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,325 total, 112 in this make and model, 1,294 as pilot in command, 223 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI

## 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 19830609024719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830609024719A), Jun 9, 1983: Lear 35A, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. Struck right wingtip during landing after aborted takeoff due to clamshell door not being properly secured.

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.