Utica, NY, USA
N800AW
Gates Learjet 35A
The copilot was flying an ILS approach at an airspeed of Vref plus 10 knots, and the captain made visual contact with the runway about 350 feet agl. The airplane then drifted high on the glideslope, and the copilot decreased engine power. The sink rate subsequently became too great. By the time the captain called for a go-around, the airspeed had deteriorated, and the stick shaker activated. Although power was applied for the go-around, the airplane impacted the runway in a level attitude before the engines spooled up. The airplane came to rest in snow, about 20 feet off the left side of the runway, near mid-field.
On March 19, 2004, about 0645 eastern standard time, a Gates Learjet 35A, N800AW, was substantially damaged while landing at Oneida County Airport (UCA), Utica, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot and certificated commercial pilot were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Port Columbus International Airport, Columbus, Ohio. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the air taxi cargo flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. The copilot reported that he was the pilot flying the airplane at the time of the accident. The copilot utilized the ILS approach to runway 33, which was 6,002 feet long and 150 feet wide. The airplane was too high during the approach, and the copilot decreased engine power. The sink rate then became too great, and the flightcrew initiated a go-around. However, the airplane landed hard on the runway before the engines could spool up. The airplane subsequently came to rest in snow, about 20 feet off the left side of the runway, near mid-field. The captain stated that the ILS approach was normal, with an airspeed of Vref plus 10 knots. He made visual contact with the runway about 350 feet agl. However, about 200 to 250 feet agl, with the runway in sight, the airplane drifted high on the glideslope. By the time the captain called for a go-around, the airspeed had deteriorated and the stick shaker activated. Although power was applied for the go-around, the airplane impacted the runway in a level attitude. After the impact, the engines spooled up. The thrust levers were then positioned to idle and the airplane skidded off the left side of the runway. During the landing, the airplane sustained damage to the main landing gear and both wings. The flightcrew did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The captain reported a total flight experience of 5,903 hours; of which, 2,036 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The copilot reported a total flight experience of approximately 3,956 hours; of which, 504 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The reported weather at UCA, at 0656, was: wind from 060 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 9 miles; ceiling 200 feet overcast; temperature 19 degrees F; dew point 18 degrees F; altimeter 30.26 inches Hg.
The copilot's failure to maintain airspeed, and the captain's delayed remedial action, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent hard landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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