HYANNIS, MA, USA
N219FX
Learjet 60
The pilot in command (PIC) and first officer (FO) were on a return flight. While being vectored for the Runway 24 ILS approach, as the flaps were selected to 20 degrees and the landing gear was extended, the crew noted that the left and right amber HYDR PRESS lights began to illuminate. When the lights began to flash with more regularity, the crew discussed whether to continue or divert to another airport. The captain decided to proceed to the destination airport, with a 5,425-foot runway. After touchdown, the captain applied normal braking, but the brakes did not respond. Additionally, the crew attempted to use the reverse thrusters, which also did not respond. The captain then attempted to apply emergency braking, but the emergency brake lever would not move. The captain then requested the FO to apply emergency braking. The captain then declared he was aborting the landing, immediately after which, the FO successfully engaged the emergency brakes. The airplane proceeded off the departure end of the wet runway, struck a localizer antenna, and came to rest in a fence. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear actuator extend hose leaked hydraulic fluid and was not torqued to specifications. According to a work item sheet, a corrective action was entered on the sheet on June 14, 'Replaced main gear actuator extend pressure hoses. Replaced uplock main gear hoses with new [Teflon] hoses.' The Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) stated that in the event of a hydraulic pressure loss, 'With no flaps, no spoilers, no thrust reversers, and no anti-skid, the landing distance will be greatly increased.' Multiply the Actual Landing Distance for Anti-Skid ON shown in Section V by a factor of 3.' The calculated landing distance, uncorrected, was 3,690 feet. The factor of three required an 11,000-foot runway. No abnormal or emergency quick reference checklists were found in the cockpit, and there was no mention of abnormal or emergency procedures in the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcript. An AFM, which contained an abnormal checklist and procedures section, was found in a side pocket next to the captain. Examination of company personnel files revealed that the captain had been issued an 'Employee Warning Notice,' in August 1998, for failure to follow instructions and rudeness to employees or customers. The notice also stated that numerous FO's reported that the pilot was rude and discourteous when he addressed them, and that he was not promoting good cockpit resource management (CRM). The captain had not received company CRM training. The airplane was part of a fractional ownership program and was operated under 14 CFR Part 91.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 1, 1999, about 2224 Eastern Daylight Time, a Learjet 60, N219FX, operated by Bombardier Business Jet Solutions Inc., was substantially damaged while landing at the Barnstable Municipal Airport (HYA), Hyannis, Massachusetts. The certificated airline transport captain, first officer, and two passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the Dulles International Airport (IAD), Herndon, Virginia. The executive transport flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane had been previously positioned to Bradley International Airport (BDL), Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for maintenance work. The flight crew was instructed by dispatch personnel to fly the airplane from BDL, to IAD, and pick up two passengers. According to the captain, the flight departed IAD, and proceeded uneventfully to HYA. While being vectored for the Runway 24 ILS approach, with the flaps selected to 20 degrees and the landing gear retracted, the airplane was turned to intercept the localizer. The captain said he called for the extension of the landing gear and "flaps down." The landing gear extended and three green lights were confirmed. The flaps moved to what "appeared" to be a full down indication. As the landing checklist was being completed, the left and right amber HYDR PRESS lights flickered. The captain stated that he checked the hydraulic pressure indicator, and noted that it still remained at the normal level. The flight crew reported to Cape Approach Control that they had a hydraulic problem and continued on the approach. The left and right amber HYDR PRESS lights began to flash with more regularity and the flight crew discussed whether to continue or divert to another airport. A check of the hydraulic pressure indicator by the captain revealed that the level was at 1,000 PSI, which was "the bottom of the green arc." The captain also stated that, in preparation for landing, he pulled the emergency brake lever out of its detent. The flight continued to the airport, and the airplane "broke out" of the clouds about 800 feet above the ground. The captain stated that, at a point prior to touchdown, the flight crew was "alerted to windshear" and the airspeed climbed to 160 knots. The captain corrected and continued. The flight crew estimated that the airplane touched down within the first 300 feet of the runway. The captain applied normal braking, but the brakes did not respond. The captain then immediately reached for and tried to apply emergency braking, but the emergency brake lever would not move. The captain then requested that the first officer apply emergency braking. The first officer used both of his hands to free the lever and began to apply the emergency brakes. The captain stated that after regaining braking authority, there was not enough remaining runway to stop. The airplane proceeded off the departure end of Runway 24, struck a localizer antenna array, and came to rest in a fence. Excerpts of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcript revealed the following: 2212:24, as the airplane was being vectored for the Runway 24 ILS approach, the captain called for "flaps to twenty." 2214:11, the captain called for "gear down" and the "before landing check." The flight crew confirmed the landing gear was extended and "three green lights" were observed. 2218:03, the captain noted the "left and right hydraulic pressure lights" had illuminated. 2218:21, the captain called for "flaps to land," which was confirmed by the first officer. 2218:24, the captain stated, "do the landing checklist. make sure it's reviewed complete." 2218:31, the first officer stated, "land checklist. autospoilers. landing lights. anti skid. ignition. flight navigation instruments. engine sync. nose wheel. flaps full to go. yaw dampener. 2218:38, the captain called out "we're losing hydraulic pressure." 2218:40, the first officer stated, "yeah the gear ah the flaps okay." 2218:43, the captain called out "flaps aren't down all the way," which the first officer responded "aren't down all the way no. so ah you wanna continue on this runway here? five thousand feet." The captain replied, "yeah." 2219:04, the first officer stated, "probably could go to the longer runway where also where they could do repairs on it." 2219:36, the captain stated, "all right let's see. gear's down. flaps're twenty. how much fuel do we got? we got enough fuel. [sound of sigh]. Oh boy." 2219:50, the first officer stated, "what was the alternate you had? Albany?" 2219:52, the captain said, "no. new-" 2219:57, the first officer stated, "okay well if you go missed we can't won't be able to bring the flaps up." 2220:00, the captain responded, "I know and we won't be able to bring the gear up. we got plenty of fuel." 2220:12, the captain stated, "let's continue." 2220:21, the captain stated, "ah advise approach control that ah we may have hydraulic problems. okay." 2220:28, the first officer stated, "okay and ah." The captain replied, "and ah we're gonna continue in." 2220:31, the first officer replied, "rog." 2221:39, the first officer stated, "okay we got gear and brake air at least. It's pretty high in the green." 2221:43, the captain stated, "okay hydraulic pressure's fluctuating." 2221:45, the first officer replied, "roger." 2222:15, the first officer stated, "are you gonna do if you need to use the brakes are you gonna go ahead and use them?" 2222:18, the captain replied, "we won't be able to clear the runway?" 2222:23, the first officer replied, "why not?" 2222:39, there was a sound similar to a GPWS windshear tone. An automated voice called "windshear. windshear. windshear." 2223:05, there was a sound similar to touchdown. Three seconds later, the captain stated "okay no brakes. i'm going to." 2223:11, the first officer stated, "okay reverse. no re-." 2233:17, the captain stated, "can you pull it out?" 2223:21, there was a sound similar to a takeoff configuration warning. 2223:22, the captain stated, "'kay I'm going around." 2223:23, the first officer replied, "there it is. there it is. I got it. I got it." 2223:24, the captain stated, "hard. hard. hard. hard." 2223:26, the first officer stated, "it is. it's all the way down. it's all the way down. it's all the way down. it's all the way down. it's all the way down. it's all the way down. it's all the way down." Throughout the CVR transcript, there was no mention of, or calls for, Hydraulic Pressure Light(s), Hydraulic Systems Failure/Alternate Gear Extension, Emergency Braking, or Emergency Evacuation checklists. There was also no landing brief requested or performed by the captain. A passenger seated in the main cabin of the airplane stated that he felt the landing gear extend as the airplane began it's final approach. To the passenger's recollection, the crew did not give the normal sign to assure that the safety belts were fastened. The operator's standard procedure was to illuminate the seat belt sign. When the airplane touched down, it "hit" extremely hard and proceeded down the runway. After a few seconds, it became noticeable to the passenger that the airplane was not slowing down and the engines had not deployed the reverse thrusters. When the airplane came to a stop, the passenger attempted to exit from the forward boarding door, but could not open it. The first officer then came from the cockpit and said to exit from the back of the airplane. A second passenger then opened the "rear door" and exited, followed by the first officer, the first passenger, and the captain. After the accident, the passenger stated to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he and the other passenger were not briefed on any safety items as they boarded the airplane at IAD. The accident occurred during the hours of darkness, approximately 41 degrees, 40 minutes north latitude, and 70 degrees, 16 minutes west longitude. FLIGHT CREW INFORMATION Captain The captain held an airline transport certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land, and commercial privileges for airplane single engine land. In addition, the captain was type rated in the Boeing 737, Lear 60, and Lear Jet. The captain reported his total flying experience in airplanes was 7,806 hours. He also reported that he had accumulated about 1,431 hours in the Learjet 60, of which about 129 hours were in the last 90 days. The captain's most recent FAA first class medical certificate was issued on May 19, 1999. The captain received his initial Learjet 60 training between June 9 and June 28, 1997, when he was first employed by Business Jet Solutions (Flex Jet). The course was taught by Flight Safety. The ground school consisted of 52 hours, which covered 23 areas from "Aircraft General" to "Systems Integration." These included a systems review, examination, and critique. Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) was not a listed topic. On the summary of daily training, CRM was 1 of 82 items listed that could be evaluated. The captain received a rating of "2" under CRM, on day 2 through 7 of the training, which the form listed as "normal progress." He received a "1" for days 8 and 9 of the training, which the form listed as "proficient." One comment was entered in the daily written remarks of the training regarding CRM. On the training flight on June 25, 1997, it stated, "LOFT sim complete Good Flight - Situation Awareness and CRM." During subsequent pilot recurrent courses at Flight Safety in December 1997, April 1998, and April 1999, the captain continued to receive "1's" under CRM on the training form. Additionally, hand written notes after some of the training included "CRM is Good" or "Excellent CRM." The captain's most recent training in April 1999, included abnormal procedures related to hydraulics, and emergency evacuation procedures. According to a representative of the operator, the captain had not yet attended the CRM training course recently initiated by the company. Examination of company personnel files revealed that the captain had been issued an "Employee Warning Notice," on August 3, 1998. The warning notice included a failure to follow instructions and rudeness to employees or customers. The notice also included "Numerous First Officers report that [the captain] is rude and discourteous when he addresses them. He is not promoting good CRM and has not taken to mentoring his FO's." First Officer The first officer held an airline transport certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land, and commercial privileges for airplane single engine land. In addition, the first officer was type rated in the Cessna CE-500. The first officer also held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single engine and multi-engine land. The first officer reported his total flying experience in airplanes was 4,230 hours. He also reported that he had accumulated a total of 85 hours in make and model, all of which were in the last 90 days. The first officer's most recent FAA first class medical certificate was issued on December 29, 1998. The first officer received his initial Learjet 60 training between April 26, 1999, through May 8, 1999, when he was first employed by Business Jet Solutions (Flex Jet). The course was taught by Flight Safety. The ground school consisted of 47 hours, which covered 22 areas from "Aircraft General" to "Systems Integration." These included a systems review, examination, and critique. Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) was listed as one of the topics during his training. On the summary of daily training, CRM was 1 of 112 items listed that could be evaluated. The first officer received a rating of "2" under CRM, on day 2 through 4 of the training, which the form listed as "normal progress," and received a "1" for the fifth and last day of the training, which the form listed as "proficient." A comment entered on the fourth day in the daily written remarks of the training stated "CRM improving." During the initial training, the first officer was trained on abnormal procedures related to hydraulics and emergency evacuation procedures. During the first officer's company line check, a written statement included, "[the first officer] possesses good flying skills and is aware of his abilities and the abilities of the airplane. [the first officer] has good people skills and interacts well with the passengers. [the first officer] accepted criticism well and made great efforts to get better in all areas as the week progressed." AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Before the accident, the airplane arrived at BDL on June 13, 1999, for a "3 month/3,000 landing check" maintenance inspection. A maintenance technician accomplished a primary inspection walk around, on June 16, 1999. A discrepancy was noted on a work item sheet on June 13, 1999, to "Verify main landing gear actuator hoses are [Teflon]. If hoses are rubber, replace." A corrective action was entered on the sheet on June 14, "Replaced main gear actuator extend pressure hoses. Replaced uplock main gear hoses with new [Teflon] hoses IAW MM60 Chapter 20-30-00." A satisfactory landing gear cycle and leak check of hoses was accomplished and inspected on June 15, 1999. The work order item was "Lead Closed" on June 27, 1999. On July 1, 1999 a maintenance technician, "I.A.W. Learjet checklist", performed a final walk around, and the discrepancy action was corrected, inspected and closed the same day. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 2236, the reported weather at HYA was: winds from 230 at 18 knots, gusts to 25 knots; visibility of 7 statute miles; broken clouds at 1,000 feet; overcast cloud layer at 1,500 feet. AERODROME INFORMATION Runway 24 at HYA was a 5,425-foot long, 150-foot wide, hard surfaced asphalt transverse grooved runway. A 139-foot long blast pad was also located at the departure end of Runway 24. At the time of the accident the runway conditions were wet. FLIGHT RECORDERS Cockpit Voice Recorder The airplane was equipped with a Universal CVR30, solid state cockpit voice recorder. The CVR was transported to the Safety Board, Office of Research and Engineering, on July 6, 1999. The CVR group convened on July 20, 1999. A transcript was prepared for the last 21:36 minutes of the 30 minute recording. Flight Data Recorder There was no flight data recorder installed in the airplane, nor was it required. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the wreckage on July 2, by a FAA inspector, revealed a stream of hydraulic fluid on the underside of the airplane that ran from the left wheel well to the tail section. The fluid trail was most noticeable on the lower surface of the "delta fins." The hydraulic reservoir was drained and the fluid measured approximately 49 ounces. Of the 49 ounces drained from the reservoir, 38 ounces was available for use by the electric hydraulic pump. After servicing the hydraulic reservoir, the hydraulic pump switch was turned on. Hydraulic pressure built up until the pressure gauge indicated 1,100 PSI, and the pump shut off. Both the pilot's and copilot's brake pedals were actuated and had a "normal feel and holding pressure." While the hydraulic pump was actuated, the left main landing gear actuator extend hose leaked hydraulic fluid at the actuator hose fitting. The actuator hose fitting was tightened 1/3rd turn, and the leak stopped. The hydraulic system pressure did not deplete to the point of actuating the hydraulic system low-pressure switch after the leak was stopped. The hydraulic system was then checked for leaks, and none were observed. The FAA inspector checked the torque value on both the actuator and the airframe hydraulic fitting connections of the left main landing gear actuator extend hose. The hydraulic actuator hose fitting was tightened a total of two thirds of a turn, to a value of 300 inch-pounds. The airframe hydraulic hose fitting was tightened a total of one-third turn, to the same torque value of 300 inch-pounds. The torque
The flightcrew's inadequate coordination and their failure to utilize checklists. Also causal was the captain's improper decision to continue the approach to a runway with insufficient length. A factor in the accident was the improper maintenance.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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