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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 15, 1990 · Learjet LR-24D · N45CP

Benton Harbor, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Benton Harbor, MI
Aircraft
Learjet LR-24D
Tail Number
N45CP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90LA172

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, HE AND HIS CO-PILOT RETURNED TO BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN TO POSITION THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOT THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27, AND BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 1100 FEET, WITH AN ESTIMATED 6 MILES VISIBILITY. HE REPORTED THAT THE 'HIGH INTENSITY APPROACH LIGHTS WERE ON FULL BRIGHT, DESTROYING MY NIGHT VISION....'HE STATED THAT ONCE THEY PASSED THE APPROACH LIGHTS HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RUNWAY SURFACE, AND THE THE AIRCRAFT 'MUST HAVE FLOATED....'HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CO-PILOT'S STATEMENT CONCURS. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 8,300 HOURS, INCLUDING 2,100 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL, AND 5,000 HOURS OF NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

NTSB Probable Cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGED APPROACH TO LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT RUNNING OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO A RAVINE. THE LATE, DARK NIGHT, IFR CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, HE AND HIS CO-PILOT RETURNED TO BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN TO POSITION THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOT THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27, AND BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 1100 FEET, WITH AN ESTIMATED 6 MILES VISIBILITY. HE REPORTED THAT THE 'HIGH INTENSITY APPROACH LIGHTS WERE ON FULL BRIGHT, DESTROYING MY NIGHT VISION....'HE STATED THAT ONCE THEY PASSED THE APPROACH LIGHTS HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RUNWAY SURFACE, AND THE THE AIRCRAFT 'MUST HAVE FLOATED....'HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CO-PILOT'S STATEMENT CONCURS. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND REPORTED A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 8,300 HOURS, INCLUDING 2,100 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL, AND 5,000 HOURS OF NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:14 EDT
Nearest AirportBenton Harbor Ross Field (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLearjet LR-24D
Tail NumberN45CP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsGe · CJ-610-8A · Reciprocating · 2950
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data