# NTSB WPR24LA071: Learjet 55, N558RA, Livingston, MT, January 11, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 11, 2024, 08:37 local (15:37 UTC) - Place: Livingston, MT · On airport - Coordinates: 45.699417, -110.44802 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6994&lon=-110.4480&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 193641 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193641/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193641 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA071 ## Probable cause The flight crew’s decision to land on a snow-covered runway with a tailwind, resulting in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident, was the failure of the airport authority to plow the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Learjet 55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=5170804), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Copilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Learjet 55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=5170804), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Learjet 55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=5170804), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Learjet 55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=5170804), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: snow removal service/equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017075): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Learjet 55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017075/cases.md?model=5170804), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017075/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Learjet 55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5170804), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in command of the airplane reported that, while on an instrument GPS approach, they listened to the automated surface observing system several times and determined that they would be landing with a “light quartering tailwind” on an upsloping runway. Once clear of clouds and with the runway in sight, the pilot canceled the instrument flight rules clearance, announced their position over the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency and received a reply with a report of 1/4 inch of dry snow covering the runway, unplowed. During the landing roll, they applied brakes, extended spoilers, and thrust reversers. Initially the airplane slowed; however, about halfway down the runway, the airplane’s antiskid system was functioning continuously, and the airplane’s rate of deceleration decreased. The pilot was unsure if the thrust reversers deployed, and he cycled the thrust reversers and did not feel any effects. The pilot stated that, in his experience, the airplane’s thrust reversers do not feel very effective. The pilot considered aborting the landing, started to clean up the airplane but thought it was too late. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, onto a grass covered area and into a deep ravine, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 44 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 12 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 16 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 090° at 12 knots. The airplane landed on runway 22. The fixed based operator owner reported that, on the day of the accident, his review of the runway conditions at the airport appeared to be around an inch of snow on the runway surface. Additionally, plowing at the airport so far this year had been “abysmal.” Big windrows and ice chunks have been left; taxiway corners had been built up to the point there could be an occurrence should an airplane be taxiing by. Earlier this year, several departures were delayed due to the runway not being plowed. According to the chairman of the airport board, there is no formal process to conduct runway assessments. However, an airport board member lives in the area and routinely visits the airport to conduct runway assessments. The runway assessments and frequency of the observations are not documented but are conveyed verbally to the airport board via cell phone. To the best of his knowledge, there is no formal snow or ice removal plan. When the runway is required to be cleared, a board member will use county provided equipment to clear the runway. The frequency of the snow removal is not documented. The airport snow removal equipment is limited to clear substance to ½ inch of the runway surface. On the day of the accident, he was not awareof a Notice to Air Misson (NOTAM) issued for the conditions of the runway environment. According to the airplane manufacturer, the estimated landing distance on a dry runway was about 3,350 ft, with loose snow and no tailwind the estimated landing distance was about 6,700 ft, and on loose snow with tailwind, the estimated landing distance was 7,531 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airport is not required to have a snow and ice control plan. However, the airport was provided federal funds (grant) to purchase/acquire a snowplow to maintain the airport surfaces during inclement weather conditions. There may be times where issues arise, and action is delayed. In that case it is expected that a NOTAM be issued as outlined in the grant agreement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N558RA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N558RA), registered now, S/N 086, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LEARJET INC 55 - Registry model: [Learjet 55](https://openairdocs.org/model/learjet-55) (registry code 5170804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Honeywell TFE-731-SER series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/honeywell-tfe-731-ser-series) (registry code 33902, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 086 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 14135 - Engines: HONEYWELL TFE731-3AR-2B 3700 lbs thrust turbo fan; HONEYWELL TFE731-3AR-2B 3700 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Royal Air Freight Inc - Registered owner: Royal Air Freight Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 25, 2023 - Departed: PTK, Waterford, MI - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LVM, Mission Fld, runway 22, 5,701 × 75 ft, unknown - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 31,800 total, 800 in this make and model, 29,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 12, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,726 total, 9 in this make and model, 1,432 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 1 °F, dew point -2 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: KLVM - METAR: KLVM 111553Z AUTO 09012KT 10SM OVC019 M17/M19 A2968 RMK AO2 SLP131 T11671194 ## 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 20240111000139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240111000139A), Jan 11, 2024: Learjet Inc 55, Livingston, MT, Substantial damage. On January 11, 2024 a Learjet Inc model 55, [privacy data omitted], [privacy data omitted], landed at Mission Field (lvm), Livingston Montana airport during a… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193641. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16628089&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of phone conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16719827&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20-%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Record of phone conversation - airport board (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16712527&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20-%20Airport%20Board-Rel.pdf - Record of email correspondence - airport board chairman (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16654170&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20email%20correspondence%20-%20Airport%20Board%20Chairman-Rel.pdf - Record of email correspondence - FAA ado (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16712884&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20email%20correspondence%20-%20FAA%20ADO-Rel.pdf - Yellowstone air service statement (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16712537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=e-mail%20Yellowstone%20Air%20Service-%20Statement%20Regarding%20558RA%20Incident%20at%20KLVM_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Bombardier landing performance memo (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 809 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16689138&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA071%20Bombardier%20Landing%20Performance%20Memo-Rel.pdf - Memo for record - raw metars (item 8, PDF, 7 pages, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16653572&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20-%20Raw%20metars-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16654398&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.